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October Writers Chat: Effective Use of Subplots

Silly StringTrying to make your fic more interesting, but having trouble with all those loose threads? We're here to help!! Join us for the Writers Chat this month and we'll talk about creating subplots, weaving plot threads throughout your fic, and neatly wrapping up those pesky little buggers before you're through.


As always, readers are encouraged to attend and contribute to the chat! Your input and feedback is invaluable. We also welcome curious lurkers. =)


Chats will be Thursday, October 6, 10 PM Eastern time and Saturday, October 8, 1 PM Eastern time. Check the Time Zone Converter (on the sidebar at the left under Events) to find your local time.



--meeshie on October 03, 2016 2:59pm 0 Comments
October Members of the Month!

It's a new month, and we have new Members of the Month for you to get to know better!


Author of the Month - jaibhagwan 


  


What draws you to the Caryl ship?


True love. What can I say that hasn’t been said before? I think we all know why we are here: their chemistry is undeniable. That they love each other is clear. It’s in the smallest details of their actions, the words they don’t speak, the simple way they look at one another. But I think the mutual respect and trust they hold for one another is truly what keeps me tethered to this ship. I am a romantic at heart, so I’m a sucker for the slow burn. And I prefer to champion the underdog. After what they’ve both been through in their lifetimes, they truly deserve one another. It’s only fair.  


Who are your writing influences?


My mother, who taught me to read and write. And every English teacher I ever had. Seriously, I dislike this question! I read a lot and have fairly eclectic interests. But I think my style is my own. Some of my favorite authors/poets include Maya Angelou, Octavia Butler, E.E. Cummings, Barbara Kingsolver, Milan Kundera, Neil Gaiman, George R.R. Martin (that punk!), Mary Oliver, Tom Robbins, Rumi, and Sheri S. Tepper. I’ve also read a lot of trash and poorly written novels that have somehow managed to get published, and I think it’s those that give me the most hope about my own writing. If they can do it, why can’t I? So then I did. And now, I can’t stop the madness.

How do you handle writer’s block?


Netflix and chill? Lol! I spend a lot of time outdoors in nature. A nice hike will often fill my head with ideas. Sometimes I meditate. There’s nothing like trying to empty your mind only to have it fill up again with images of that perfect scene or line of dialog. It’s the wrangling of all the parts into a cohesive narrative that’s often the hardest, for me. As is trusting in the story as it wants to be told. I read, look at art, or listen to music that inspires me and makes me feel the things I want to write about. I seek support from other writers who understand this kind of torture and commiserate. It’s always nice to know that I’m not alone in my suffering. I surrender to the fact that the story comes in it’s own time. I go about my life and try not to sweat it. I mean, I sweat anyway, but I try not to dwell on the fact that I’m sweating. I usually end up writing a lot of things that I’ll simply never, ever publish just to keep at it. You have to be willing to write a lot of crap to get to the gold.

Anything you want to say to your readers?


Bless your hearts! I am filled with gratitude for your support and enthusiasm for our ship. Thank you for nominating me, for reading my work, for reviewing, for favoriting, for following, for shyly lurking, for demanding more—you have made me a better writer. I never expected to be here. I’m sure you didn’t either, but here we are. Sorry that I don’t write faster, but I promise, I will do everything in my power to finish all my fics. Thank you, Nine Lives, for fostering a loving community where we can all be transported into a magical world that is all Caryl, all the time. Stay safe!Love -jb




Reviewer of the Month - chemfemme   




What draws you to the Caryl ship?


I think I may be somewhat unusual in that I was first drawn to the Caryl ship through the fan stories I read. I became obsessed with the show during the summer hiatus between seasons four and five. The characters were on the cusp of some big changes at that point, and there were so many ways to interpret what had happened – I think that’s a nice way of saying, WTF were they thinking? So after I binged the first four seasons, I fed my obsession with all the characters with the stories I found online. Eventually, I realized I was especially drawn to Caryl stories.


I can’t help rooting for an underdog, and Carol and Daryl were the bottom of that social pile in the early seasons. Over and over, they had to fight to justify their right to be in that group; that’s how I saw it then, anyway. And who doesn’t love the idea that two people who can’t believe much in their own selves might reinvent themselves and find some redemption through love? That’s what I found in the stories. The stories made me re-watch the show through the Caryl lens, so to speak, and I couldn’t ignore what I hadn’t noticed before. I had to appreciate the subtle developments and changes both characters had undergone. I was hooked.


What do you look for in a story to keep reading?


First, know that I am a compulsive reader. I will read the words at the bottom, rather than watch the TV show, if closed-captioning is active. I can’t help myself, I’m like a Labrador retriever: throw a story and I will read it; I’ll probably find something to like about it, every time.


So, forgive my impertinence, but the better question to ask me is, What makes you reread a story? Because I read a lot - and I admit, I’m not very discriminating, I enjoy storytelling as it comes. But, I truly love the stories that compel me to go back and reread. Even if I don’t think I like a story, if it haunts me, I’ll read it over and over again, and eventually, I find I love it. Sometimes, I don’t even know what draws me back to a story. I’ve reread one of my “favorites” at least five times; I still haven’t figured out what I want to say to the author about some of the chapters, but it draws me back.


I have noticed a few things about my reading habits, though. Any story that challenges common assumptions about a character will usually pique my curiosity, especially if it challenges my assumptions, and definitely if it brings me to a new insight about a character. Stories that have an interesting voice or rhythm for a character’s thoughts always fascinate me; stories told from Daryl’s perspective in particular draw me. As a kid, I reread the Little House books until they fell apart; I am a sucker for homesteading in the ZA stories, I revel in the nitty-gritty details of daily life and survival in the new world. If someone ever wrote a story about how to make cheese in the ZA, I would favorite it like my life depended on it! And if you know where that story exists, please PM me.


I don’t exactly look for darker-themed stories, but I am particularly drawn to them when they tap into deeper speculations I have about TWD. I don’t want to get too political, but for me, TWD is about looking obliquely at a society that is engaged in ongoing war. Stories that explore those themes - psychology of battle, loss, collateral damage, breakdown of social structures, futility of hope, erosion of civil conventions, suffering of the innocent at what cost – those just suck me in. On a side-note, I have never enjoyed violent TV or movies - until TWD. In stories, I also find portraying realistic consequences of violence to be more honest and readable than stories that use violence in a back-handed way and gloss over the after-effects. That said, sadism repels me, and honest doesn’t necessarily mean graphic.


A few stories that I’ve read recently highlight this for me. A Drop of Blood among the Sharks by silversundown began with, for me, a very uncomfortable and frank starting scenario, then dealt with it realistically and unflinchingly. An in-progress story, The Man with the Bat by Viktories, set up a scenario that I found extremely harsh to read at times; yet it falls within a certain realm of plausibility in the world as I know it, and it is exploring some depths of Carol’s character that I haven’t seen plumbed in many stories. I love the fun and fluffy and entertaining stories as much as anyone, but I hope authors don’t shy away from exploring darker human stories that mirror real darkness in our world, especially at this juncture of human civilization. This reader, at least, appreciates your willingness to venture into the darkness to spread some light.


What are your top five favorite stories?


Wow, now I understand why previous reviewers found this hard. To badly paraphrase the first Georgia heroine I ever remember reading, the winnowing is harsh when loved ones are being winnowed. (Has anyone done a Gone with the Wind adaptation of TWD? I know there are all sorts of modern concerns around that book, but I cannot be the first person who’s thought there could be some interesting parallels and contrasts between Scarlett O’Hara and Carol Peletier.)


Here are five stories that had special impact on me. Okay, I cheated and did some pairings…and other weird things…because it’s really hard to decide!


Landslide by Lamport I couldn’t stop reading this one until I finished, then again two days later. I had seen references to Nine Lives challenges on other stories, but I was such a newbie to fan fiction I had no idea what those tags meant when I read the story on another site. (Just imagine my shock when I discovered what E-RPF meant, ha!) So this is the story that brought me to NineLives, because I loved it so much I went searching for more stories by this author, and that brought me here.


Broken Mirrors by ramblinrose I was so new to fan fiction when I read this, I wondered: why would anyone want to put TWD characters in a story that wasn’t, y’know, like TWD? One of the first AU stories I read, it hooked me before I finished the first chapter. I love that it’s a three-way love story about becoming a family, and that the author made Sophia into an OC of the most invisible kind of kid, the unadoptable teen, and she hit all the little things that means so well.


Your Name is Merle vs. The One What Brung Ya, both by Lena Carr. I’m going to let these two duke it out for placement. I know why I love the first story; I can’t even explain to myself why I love the second story, but someday I will figure it out. The first story is part of a series and I sincerely hope there will be more additions. I also loved Marginalia and Harriers and Straight and Narrow – natural history and multi-chapter homesteading on the road, yes!


Other Half by Not Laura / You Are the Sun Gone Down by lilabut I doubt authors like being paired like this, but these two stories have a symmetry in my head that makes them whatever the story-equivalent of a diptych is. They are dark and lovely and encompass soft, squishy, savory truths like the opposite shells of a bivalve. I love them both and when I reread one, I always end up rereading the other.


Looks Good on You by Michelle del Vale This is the kind of story I wish I could write: succinct, fun, flirty. It colors inside all the lines of decorum, yet knocks the needle off the dial on the sexy-meter. Her special talent, I think, the blush-worthy T-rated story.


Anything you want to say to all the Caryl authors out there?


Well, authors, if you’ve read this far, you deserve to know my dirty secret. Deep breath, let it out: As far as the show goes, I have almost no confidence that Daryl will ever be emotionally ready to be more than a comrade-in-arms to Carol, and breaking off pieces of her until she’s equally emotionally stunted will not make them any more ready for each other. They're wonderful characters, and the actors do them justice; but if either were a good friend, I’d lose some sleep if they started going in a romantic direction with each other.


There, I said it.


Before you stone me – or, worst fate of all, block me from reading your stories – please remember what I told you at the beginning: You brought me to the Caryl ship through your stories. Your stories have made me want to believe.


The once-in-a-blue-moon-Caryl moments on the show are sweet, but your stories fuel my Caryl fantasies. You’ve made me laugh out loud and you’ve brought me to tears. Who knew G-rated meant watch-a-character-die or suffer-horribly-depressing-stuff? Seriously: browse it by rating, read 10 random stories, then try to tell me I lied; I thought they’d be funny fluff, ha! I have yelled at characters and I’ve dropped my ipod, stunned, while reading. I’ve spent traffic jams speculating what the heck you were going to do in the next chapter - and by that, I mean talking out loud as if you were in the car with me and had any interest in my opinions about what Carol and Daryl were thinking. I’ve stayed up way too late because I couldn’t stop reading, and too often I’ve woken up way too early to check for updates. You have crafted moments in your stories that helped me rethink loss, and grief, and fights with my mother, and dramas with my students, and if the ongoing construction in my neighbor’s garage at odd hours should be something to worry me. There have been some particularly difficult days over the past few years when the best thing I had to look forward to at the end of the day was one of your stories. And yes, I may have made incoherent squeaking sounds upon receiving your thoughtful responses to my comments.


And regardless of how crazy I probably sound at this point, please remember that I am just a fan and you are all rock stars to me. I thank you all for sharing your time and talent, with an extra dollop of thank you sauce to whoever nominated me; I had fun revisiting stories, despite the agony of decision. And, I forgive you all, one-by-one, for hooking me on the drug that is Caryl.


 


 



--subversivegrrl, ikkleosu, fairiesmasquerade on October 01, 2016 10:18am 0 Comments
Email Notifications

UPDATE: This appears to have been a server issue. The email settings have been reset and notifications are working again. If you sent any PMs over the last day or so, you may want to resend them. Thanks!




Hey folks,


It looks like email notifications are down. We're not sure why, but we are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. In the meantime, just sit tight, read a few fics & we'll keep you updated as we work to resolve this issue.


Thanks for your patience!



--Fairies Masquerade & meeshie on September 28, 2016 11:23pm 0 Comments
Shoutout from Refinery29

Super exciting news that entertainment website Refinery29 has given your little fanfic home away from home a shoutout.


In an article titled Is There Hope For A Carol & Daryl Romance On The Walking Dead? Refinery29 mentions Nine Lives when discussing the existence of Caryl and Carryl fans.


"including one site, Nine Lives: A Caryl Fanfiction Archive, that boasts works from more than 200 authors."


That's YOU guys, and it's thanks to YOU this site exists. You make it wonderful with your amazing stories, thoughtful reviews and community spirit. Round of applause for you all!


Thanks to Refinery29 for the shoutout, and let's welcome with excitement any new Carylers, writers and readers to our corner of the internet.


We have stories for every taste - fluffy drabbles, poems, angtsy sagas, post-episode stories, AUs in the wild west and high schools, and of course, let us not forget the (well written and very classy) smut.


Come and indulge your love for Carol and Daryl's love.


And don't forget.... Caryl on!


 



--ikkleosu on September 16, 2016 8:30am 2 Comments
Just a few reminders, because the admin staff have nothing better to do

1) If you have questions, the Nine Lives site itself is the place to look for answers. In the bar above, there's the FAQ, which should contain pretty much anything you need. If you don't find an answer, send a PM to one of the admins, or use the Contact Us link that appears on every page of the site. If you don't know who the admins are or how to contact us, start with the About Us page linked above.


2) If you come across something in a story you are concerned about, or if you think a story should be rated or tagged differently, contact an admin FIRST. We don't necessarily read every story/chapter, and certainly not before they're published (unless the author is still on review), nor are we going to attempt to do so. "If you see something, say something." We may not know unless you tell us. We can't be everywhere at once.


3) We do our best to ensure Nine Lives is welcoming and representative of our entire Caryl-loving community, but we don't police people's stories. As long as they adhere to the site's terms of service and tag their stories correctly, authors can include whatever content they choose. Pay attention to the warnings. If you're sensitive to certain topics, don't read those stories.


4) We've added names gleaned from the upcoming comic storylines to our characters list. Go take a look & if we are missing anyone vital, contact an admin.


5) For purposes of clarity, the definitions of our ratings M and E have been revised as follows:



  • M (Mature): Violence, language, some gore, sex (but not a specific play-by-play of the sex itself, just allusions to the act)

  • E (Explicit): Graphic description of sexual situations; graphic violence, including rape; explicit gore; extreme language; PWP; anything else not for the faint of heart.


When in doubt, rate your story E & ask an admin. We can always downgrade it later if needed. (If you are unsure which to use, a good barometer is if you are looking for other words for "penis" it's an E. 😉)




--subversivegrrl, ikkleosu, fairiesmasquerade on September 07, 2016 6:58pm 4 Comments
September Members of the Month

Congratulations to our September Members of the Month: Na Bruma Leve for Author and our esteemed Reviewer - RandomCat!


Na Bruma Leve - Author of the Month



1. What draws you to the Caryl ship?
I think shipping Caryl was inevitable. I always tended to fall in love with those couples that have an unique story, where things are not even close to perfect, and you can actually relate to them in a sense where that story could be actually true. And there is this element in their relationship, of trusting and being a better person when the other is around. They have so many issues, they have so many problems surrounding not only the present world they live in, but their past and what they went through, and still, you feel that what they really want and value are the simple things. They respect each other, they trust each other, and they try to be a better person for the other. They see in each other what they can't see in themselves, and I think this is so beautiful. They love each other in every sense of the word. I can't think of a fictional couple that have such a rich and unique relationship.

2. Who are your writing influences?  
I'm a huge huge fan of Agatha Christie. I think I read 99% of her work, and she is a huge inspiration when it comes to creativity. Especially in the way she gives her characters a depth even though falling in love with any of them is a huge risk, especially if they are the killer at the end of her story haha. And, coming from the fandom, I know so many wonderful writers, like Saedhriel, Lovesdaryl and Lilabut. I think the way they can convey the love between Carol and Daryl and how some of their stories stuck with me, is what made me want to write for this ship.

4. How do you handle writer’s block?
I think I actually don't handle it lmao. I don't know if there is a right way to deal with writer's block, but when I feel I reached that point, I just don't push myself to write something. I feel like I need to respect what I'm feeling right now, and I need to respect the story I was building up. If I keep forcing myself to do it, it becomes worse. It's difficult, because as a reader, I know how much it's frustrating to wait for an update of a story you were really into, but I also feel I own this person the best I can give, and for that, I need to respect my time. 

4. Anything you want to say to your readers? ;)
First of all, thank you soooo much for the support and the encouragement, I wasn't expecting this at all. To be Author Of The Month is a huge huge honor to me. It's a joy to know that people appreciate my writing and my stories. And it's actually you who inspires me to continue. The Caryl community is one of the best fandoms I ever had the pleasure to be part of, and I hope that with my stories, I can provide an escape from the sometimes not so nice canon events we have happening with our favorite characters lmao. I feel that this here, being able to create new stories and feel that you are contributing to this amazing world, is what makes me continue to be in this fandom. I hope you feel as happy by reading my stories as I am for writing them.

And thank you so much NineLives, for give us the opportunity to become better as writers and to provide such a wonderful place to show our love for this two life ruiners <33


RandomCat - Reviewer of the Month



1. What draws you to the Caryl ship?
Honestly, they blindsided me and I love a good surprise. I disliked Daryl at first and even though Carol had won me over with the pickaxe to Ed's head and hiding the grenade in her purse, I was focusing on the Grimes family and Glenn for the first season. And then bam! Second season comes around and we get these really beautiful scenes between the two of them.  I really enjoyed the what they brought out in each other during their interactions and by the end of the second season, I was sold. I don't think I shipped them super hard until the third season, but I definitely had two new favorite characters by the time the barn burned down.  Both of them proved to be more than meets the eye, and I really enjoyed the reveal.


Since then, their interactions are always a treat. They clearly would do anything for each other and watching these two damaged people come together and support one another, I found that to be a really beautiful thing to watch and I just couldn't help but ship it. They've both suffered so much and I feel like it's pretty clear that they need each other.  They're better together!!


2. What do you look for in a story to keep reading?
Characterization and dialogue are really important to me for these two.  I gotta be able to visualize and hear them in my head. Daryl has a very distinct way of speaking and then to top it off, he and Carol tend to not mince words. I also really get into stories that look at the whole picture and not forget that their pasts greatly impact who they are today. If I'm completely honest, I'm a sucker for angst, but really it's about them working through their troubles together.


I gravitate towards stories that fit with the canon.  The zombie apocalypse is a very exciting environment to explore and there are so many stages to Caryl's relationship. The farm, the prison, and Alexandria offer so many possibilities, so I like seeing people's unique versions of them at each of these stages. 


3. What are your top 5 favorite stories?
Ooh boy, I'll go with a mix of all time favs and current favs. Hard to narrow it down to 5, that's for sure! I'm not sure I even reviewed some of these on ninelives, I probably did some over on fanfiction.net, but here we go:



  • 1. A Drop of Blood Among The Sharks by silversundown

  • 2. Home by Lamport

  • 3. Spark by Tinkerbell99

  • 4. Other Half by NotLaura

  • 5. static by lilabut


4. Anything you want to say to all the Caryl authors out there?
First things first: Thank you all! I don't think I've ever been part of a ship with so many talented writers.  The quality of the stuff here is incredible to me.  I've spent many hours tearing through the stories posted here and it's been nothing but great fun. I've cried, laughed, and sighed probably as much as I have watching the show, so thank you all for expanding upon the world and this relationship!


Second, I lurked on this site for...ehhhh, almost embarrassed to say, but probably four months before joining.  I plan on going back and reviewing what I read during my lurker days. I will spam your inboxes with comments! Hope nobody minds reviews on older stories!


I'm so happy I found this site! Keep up the great work!!



--FM, Ikkles & Subs on September 01, 2016 8:14am 2 Comments
September Writers Chat: Publishing Your First Fic

So, it’s your first time. You’re nervous. Blushing. Sweaty palms. All your friends are doing it. You want to, but there’s something holding you back. You feel too exposed.



 


Afraid to publish your work? Fearful of letting other people read it?


Join us at this month’s Writers Chat to talk about ways to conquer that fear. Cold feet? No problem. We’ve all been there. Come one, come all, for support, encouragement, and celebration as we discuss that oh so important, and memorable milestone: “Publishing Your First Fic.”


Chats will be Thursday, September 1, 10 PM Eastern time and Saturday, September 10, 1 PM Eastern time. Check the Time Zone Converter (on the sidebar at the left under Events) to find your local time.



--alannastara on August 31, 2016 5:46pm 0 Comments
Missing Moments Challenge: The Master List

Happy Sunday Carylers! Only 8 more Sundays until Season 7! We're getting close. ;) You can fill up this Sunday by enjoying the results of our 'Missing Moments' challenge - our final from this year's Summer Survival Series!


'Missing Moments' Master List



Thank you to everyone who participated in our final S3 challenge! We hope you all enjoy and we hope we have provided you with some wonderful Carylness this hiatus. 


Remember: FM is currently taking feedback on the S3 series as well as the archive itself, so please send her a PM and then go vote for our fundraiser party!


Happy reading and Caryl on!



--FM, Ikkles & Subs on August 28, 2016 8:50am 0 Comments
We're Putting the Band Back Together... and Raising Money for a Reunion Tour?


Greetings and salutations, Carylers! I hope this post finds you all happy and well in your corners of the world. We have a lot of things to cover that the admin team is very excited about, so I’m going to get right to it!


First, I am back in full active admin status. Yes, I’m still in grad school. I just found a way to  make my schedule work better than last semester, but more importantly - I really missed all of you! Nine Lives has been my home for almost three years and let me tell you: the withdrawals are real. I have to give a serious shout of love and adoration for my girls Ikkleosu and subversivegrrl for running things in my absence. They took on the entirety of the site while I focused on readjusting the balance of my life to now include school, and I think they have done a terrific job. Despite my lack of daily activity, I was very much involved behind the scenes and kept in the loop this summer and trust me when I tell you that nobody cares about you, and this archive, like these ladies do. Please, if you find a moment, show these wonderful admins of ours some love.


Let’s talk about the archive for a bit. I’ve done this before and I tend to wax sentimental when I do, so I’ll try to keep it lowkey. You all know how the archive came to be. (If you don’t, go here). The archive has come to mean something different to each of us who calls this place our fandom home. For us behind the scenes, Nine Lives can be a job, but it’s one we take on gladly. It’s the shared belief in Caryl that drives us, and our commitment to keeping a corner of the fandom enjoyable and without interference from those who just want to cause friction. It’s never a perfect endeavor, running Nine Lives, and we’ve had some stumbles and mistakes along the way as well as moments of great triumph. What I feel we have most accomplished is a sense of home for us all and that’s what holds strong. We hope to increase the community aspects of Nine Lives in the coming months, and that’s where you come in.


Now and again, the topic of fundraising for Nine Lives comes up. Previously, the site was funded by Ravenesque and Elysian Fields. Since we broke off on our own, I’ve paid for the site fees - hosting, the domain, maintenance, upgrades, security, etc. While I am happy and more than willing to continue to fund the site, we’ve had so many offers from people willing to donate that we’ve decided to go for it. We’re hosting a fundraiser! The details of our fundraiser events will be forthcoming at a later time, but we do have a question we wanted to put to all of you. We’re asking because we’ve done a lot of challenges lately, and we have events scheduled through the end of the year to keep things interesting around here. However, our schedule is flexible, so what our question for all of you is: WHEN would you like to have our fundraiser party? These are the dates we had in mind:



  • Early October (around the season 7 premiere)

  • November (before folks gear up for the holidays)

  • January (for Nine Lives’ 3rd anniversary)



Cast your vote in the comments below! You can pick from the options above or give us your own idea for a time frame. I’ll say one more thing before I change topics - please don’t think that we’re raising any money for personal gain. 100% of any money raised will go towards the maintenance and future expansion of Nine Lives. We’re going to go into more details about our plans and how this will work with our actual fundraiser announcement. For now, let’s pick a play date! ;)


Now, I’ve been an absentee admin this summer, and while Ikkles and Subs kept me up to date, I really would like to hear from all of you. I want to know how your summers have gone, how you’re enjoying the site and our summer challenge series, any ideas you might have for us in the future. We have a lot of things in the works but Nine Lives is for all of us, and I want to make sure that the voices of our members are heard. It’s your archive as much as it is ours, so take a chance and please drop me a PM with your feedback and your thoughts.


That’s all for now, kiddos. Stay tuned for more fun, get those submissions ready for our ‘Missing Moments’ challenge this weekend, and as always: Caryl on!




--Fairies Masquerade on August 24, 2016 9:46pm 11 Comments
Summer Survival Series - August 2016 - The 'Missing Moments' Challenge

Challenge Dates: submission date August 27th; publication August 28th


Open to: Fan Fiction, Fan Art, Graphics, Fan Videos


THE PROMPT:


With 16 hour-long episodes per year, there’s only so much time to devote to our favorite characters on an ensemble show. Thus the showrunners have admitted that we miss a lot of the moments in our characters’ lives. So much of what makes our heroes “Team Family” happens offscreen… dammit. Well, this is where you get to fix that by focusing on the missing moments we know have happened, but never got to see unfold on our screens. Did Lori see what was developing between Carol and Daryl? How much did Daryl resist being voted onto the council? Who taught Carol to be so handy with a gun? These and many other questions can be answered by you.


You can pick any scene that is “missing” from the series,  but remember, this is a Caryl archive, so your story has to prominently feature both Daryl and Carol.



(image source - elewings-caryl.tumblr.com)


GO DEEP ON THIS ONE, PEOPLE!  We have SIX SEASONS (whoops, almost wrote “sex seasons” there) to pull from.


THE DEADLINE: Submissions must be turned in by midnight Pacific Time on August 27.


THE RULES:


For FANFICTION:


Send a PM to Ikkleosu or subversivegrrl that you want to enter the challenge. Even if you're not sure you'll have anything ready in time - let us know you're planning on it. YOU MUST DO THIS TO BE INCLUDED.


WRITE! Stories must be at least 100 words.


Multiple entries are allowed!


No McReedus (given the theme, we assume you already knew that.)


Do not upload it yet! Wait until August 27 to upload your fic – just like in challenges past, we will be suspending automatic validation for that day for all authors who enter the challenge.


Submission Day is August 27– post your fic. It will not appear on the archive, but will enter our validation queue. Make sure you submit it under the Nine Lives Challenge category!


Publication Day is August 28 – We will post the master list and all of the challenges entries so everything shows up at once. That way, we’re all surprised by what we get to read!


Any challenge fics posted before August 27th will be deleted.




 


For FAN ART/GRAPHICS


Send a PM to Ikkleosu or subversivegrrl that you want to enter the challenge --OR--


Send an ask to the Nine Lives tumblr account. Anonymous submissions are not allowed! Your Ask must include your Nine Lives username if different from your Tumblr URL.


CREATE!!


Submit your challenge piece via one of the following channels:


Nine Lives Tumblr submissions box, OR


Email your submission to challenges@ninelivesarchive.com


Email title: Missing Moments Challenge Submission


Emails must include your Nine Lives Archive username along with any other information you wanted posted with your artwork.


Submission Day is August 27 - We need to have your artwork submitted to our Tumblr or email by 12:00 midnight Pacific time on 8/27.


Publication Day is August 28 - We will post all artwork via the Nine Lives tumblr account and add them to the master list of challenge entries on the Nine Lives Archive.




 


For FAN VIDEOS:


Send a PM to Ikkleosu or subversivegrrl that you want to enter the challenge --OR--


Send an ask to the Nine Lives tumblr account.  Anonymous submissions are not allowed! Your Ask must include your Nine Lives username if different from your Tumblr URL.


Upload your video to YouTube - ensuring you select "UNLISTED" as the privacy setting. You will have a URL for your video.


Send a PM to Ikkleosu or subversivegrrl with the URL for your video, along with a title and the name you use on YouTube (if it is different to your Nine Lives name) --OR--


Email that information to challenges@ninelivesarchive.com.


Email title: Missing Moments Challenge Submission


Submission Day is August 27 - We need to have your artwork submitted to our inbox by 12:00 midnight Pacific time on 8/27.


Publication Day is August 28 - We will post all artwork via the Nine Lives tumblr account and add them to the master list of challenge entries on the Nine Lives Archive.


You can change you video's privacy setting to PUBLIC once it has been listed on Nine Lives.




Any questions? please PM an admin.



--subversivegrrl, ikkleosu on August 07, 2016 8:38am 0 Comments
August Members of the Month: silversundown and lovesdaryldixon


Here they are - your Members of the Month for August 2016.


Author of the Month: silversundown



What draws you to the Caryl ship?

This is a tough thing for me to answer since there’s so many different aspects to their relationship that pulls me in and won’t let go. They sort of snuck up on me around late season two and then season three. Then it just hit me over the head and I was a goner. I’m a sucker for a slow burn and while at this point in the show it’s starting to be a little too slow, that was what hooked me at first. Then I saw the way they support each other unconditionally, how they bring out the best in one another and how the only times they really seem happy is when they’re together and it’s a perfect storm. 

Who are your writing influences?

I’m going to be honest here and say that I don’t spend a whole lot of time reading published works anymore. I know, I know…I feel some kind of way about that too, but every time I think about getting back on that I get sucked into some fanfic. So lately, all the lovely writers who’s works I read both in this fandom and in a few others serve as influences and inspiration. Some of these stories…wow, better than a lot of the published works I’ve come across. You all blow me away on a regular basis.

How do you handle writer’s block?

Mostly I try to plow through it. I find that if I just start writing sometimes it’ll flow on it’s own. If I try to plot out something in my head and get stuck on it before even attempting to write I’ll sit and ponder that forever and writer’s block will claim me as it’s victim. So, I try to just start and see where it takes me. Sometimes it works, other times I end up with a bunch of stuff I can’t use, but either way it gets the words flowing. Other times I give up, watch some netflix and admit defeat. I’m a night owl and most of my writing is done in the middle of the night, so sleeping on it after stewing for a while can help too.

Anything you want to say to your readers? ;)

Yes! How much I appreciate all of you! This fic writing stuff is pretty new to me in general, I dabbled a long time ago in another fandom but I haven’t felt the bug hit me this hard until I fell for Caryl. Those two have sparked so many ideas that I can't help but want to write them and share them, so the fact that you all embrace those ideas that have turned into stories is pretty wild and fantastic and amazing to me. I feel so grateful to have found this site. It’s become my happy place and I spend more time here than I will admit too. Thank you for making me feel so welcome and for going on these little fic journeys with me. You guys are the best.


 


Reviewer of the Month: LovesDarylDixon



 


What draws you to the Caryl ship? 


Wow that’s tough to answer…lol I think what really drew me to them was very early on.  Their first scene really, Daryl's holding the pick ax ready to take out Ed, and Carol comes over and tells him that she can do it.  And then he really just stands over by her, not moving away like he probably would anyone else and just watches over her… Protecting her, but not wanting to at the same time.  I think it’s just their chemistry that draws me in.  The way they support each other really that it’s unconditional, they bring out the best in one another.  I’m one of those that likes a slow burn in a relationship, one that’s built on a firm foundation of friendship, and just love. (Though have to admit the show is moving slow, so that's why I started to read fanfiction :))  So I think that’s what draws me in.  Their chemistry on screen and just that Daryl would do anything for Carol, and vice versa I'm certain that Carol would do anything for him.  It's just a beautiful relationship that the two of them have. 


What do you look for in a story to keep reading? 


That the story is engaging, and that it draws me in as I'm reading.  That I can't put the story down.  That the story can hit me emotionally whether that be with humor and happiness, fear, sadness, or despair even.  I just like to be drawn into the world that the author creates.  And I've found that on here and in reading stories.  :) 


What are your top five favorite stories on Nine Lives?


This will be a very tough one because everything I've read on here I've loved, and I don't think I can just pick five.  But here we go :)


1. This Is Now by sienna27


2. The Days In The Cedar Forest by sienna27


3. The We You Don't See by sienna27


4. Heart Song by CarolPeletier


5. Sophia's Choice by SOA Loving Mom


Anything you want to say to all the Caryl authors out there?


Thank you all for your stories! And thank you so much for sharing your talent.  I love to be able to come to nine lives and read, and just escape to the worlds that you all create :)



--subversivegrrl, ikkleosu on August 01, 2016 5:54pm 0 Comments
The 'Thy Kingdom Come...' Challenge Masterlist

It's finally here! We asked you, our oh-so creative members, to consider what would happen to Carol - and Caryl - at her (presumed temporary) refuge in The Kingdom, and you came through!



Not so many entries this time around, but you're going to love what our authors (and artist!) have served up for you. 


Go, enjoy!


Fanfic


Burn by Sira


Proving Reality by silversundown


Finding Home by AmalynJon


Her Heart by mellovesall


Fanart


Healing Hands by Ikkleosu 


Video


They Kingdom Come  by kingstoken



--subversivegrrl, ikkleosu on July 31, 2016 10:37am 0 Comments
August Writers Chats: Word Wars!

Kermit the Frog typing madlyWe’ll be doing a little something different at the August Writers Chats: Word Wars!! No, you won’t be expected to wear clunky armor or be the last person standing. You will, if you wish, participate in a series of short writing sprints based on some Caryl prompts, culminating in working on a writing sprint for a fic you may be stuck on. (Or is that just us? On all our fics? No, not just the chat mods? *whew*)


This chat will focus more on the writers, but readers are welcome to join. After each sprint, we’ll invite whoever is willing to share what they've written for some constructive feedback. OR, you can choose to keep your words to yourself. ;) There’s no pressure to share, but a little feedback could get the creative juices flowing.


So, bring your sense of humor, your anxiety, your patience, and a stopwatch/timer. We’ll have a good time, and hopefully no blood will be shed. Maybe just a few tears from feels. We’ll bring some tissues, too, just in case.


Join us on Thursday, August 4th from 10pm-12am EDT or Saturday, August 13th from 1pm-3pm EDT to battle support your fellow writers!

Have ideas for a future chat topic on Nine Lives? Send a PM to meeshie, jaibhagwan, or AlannasTara with writing topics you'd like to discuss. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Our goal is to motivate you to keep writing!


(gif from GIPHY)



--meeshie on July 29, 2016 1:48am 0 Comments
Good Things Come in Small Packages - Exploring the Archive

Not too long ago Nine Lives hit a milestone, when we topped 200 authors publishing on the site. TWO HUNDRED. Amazing, right? (We're now at 208, and that number is growing almost daily.) We're proud to count among those authors many of the most well-known, well-respected, and prolific "names" in the TWD fandom.


 


In the course of looking at site statistics, though, we discovered that almost half of our authors have published only one or two stories on Nine Lives. That's a lot of people whose work might not get much attention, and we'd like to try to remedy that by reacquainting our readers with some of those unsung authors.


So we've created a list of those writers with two or fewer stories on the site - and the rest is up to you!


From now until August 7th, we'll be collecting nominations from among those stories for Featured Story of the Week. Check out the list HERE, read some stories you might have missed the first time around (or read and loved, but forgot to bookmark as favorites!) and then share the love with the rest of us by sending a PM to ikkleosu or subversivegrrl with your FSOTW recommendation/s (please don't put them in the Shout Box.) We'll start featuring them the first week of August, and a complete list of the recommendations will be published on the site at the end of the month. NO LIMIT on the number of recommendations you can make, so go crazy!


Note: If you're an author with slightly more stories published on the site - don't worry, we haven't forgotten you! We'll be coming around again sometime over the next couple of months to revisit your work as well.


Questions? PM an admin!



--subversivegrrl, ikkleosu on July 26, 2016 4:41pm 0 Comments
RULE ANNOUNCEMENT: Multiple Accounts and the Abuse of NL Events

Hello and Happy Sunday, Nine Lives Community! (It may be Monday for some of you, but for me, it’s still Sunday.) Fairies Masquerade here. No, I’m not dead - I’ve just been crazy busy with work and grad school. But I’m still around and very much involved behind the scenes here, and there are some things we need to talk about.


It has come to my attention that people are abusing our archive for the sole purpose of self promotion. We’ve caught onto the fact that we have members creating a second membership account, then using that account to nominate themselves for things like Featured Story of the Week.


We have never had to declare this before, and in fact we have allowed a certain amount of leeway in this area since Nine Lives began; for instance, with authors who wanted write McReedus but under a different handle from their usual one. However, trouble has been brewing in this area for a while now, and as a result of our lenience we find ourselves in the situation unfolding today: a member who has been previously featured and spotlighted on several occasions has been caught with an account created just to nominate themselves for Featured Story of the Week.  


You might wonder how we know if someone is creating multiple accounts? We can see the IP address each account registered with (and pull up all the details of that IP address), we see when an account is created down to the exact hour and minute, the email address used for the account... we see it all. And we pay attention to what is happening on this archive, because we have all invested way too much of our blood, sweat, tears, time and money into keeping this place running to not pay attention.


So now, we’re making it a rule: multiple accounts are allowed for people who want to explore writing RPF/other genres but are uncomfortable publishing under their regular handle. Secondary accounts found to be created for the sole purpose of self promotion (reviewing your own stories, nominating the primary account for Featured Story or other NL events) will be deleted, and the primary account temporarily banned for 15 days on the first infraction. Repeated infractions will see the primary account permanently banned and the IP address blocked from accessing the Nine Lives Archive.


In addition, we the admin team also reserve the right to pull the privilege of multiple accounts entirely if situations like this continue.


You might think we are overreacting. That’s ok, and if you want to send a PM to either myself, Ikklesou or subversivegrrl, or politely make your case in the comments below this news article, we would be happy to discuss it with you. But to put a point on it, the issues we have had recently with multiple accounts has defied the very first rule of our Terms of Service:


You are agreeing to be a courteous, responsible member of Nine Lives, and treat everyone with due respect.


Creating extra accounts to give yourself an unfair edge in a NL event like Featured Story is not treating your fellow members with their due respect. In addition, if the Featured Story process has been compromised in this manner then it is safe to assume, and indeed only logical to assume, that other events like Member of the Month have also been abused. In light of the current circumstances, it may be time for us to change how we handle these events, or possibly stop doing them altogether.



We want Nine Lives to be a safe and fun haven for all Caryl fans. The systems we have in place are/were the best options for keeping events and challenges fair to everyone. To see them being abused in this manner breaks our hearts, particularly mine. I’m going to get personal with you here, and add a note I did not previously share with my co-admins: Nine Lives is not free or even cheap to run, but I usually don’t mind because I, like so many of you, need a safe place for all my Caryl feels. All I, and the rest of the Nine Lives staff, have ever asked in return is for everyone to behave and interact in a way that keeps the Nine Lives community safe, respectful and supportive for all. When I see the site abused in this manner, I start to wonder if Nine Lives is even needed anymore, because either I’m obviously doing something wrong that this sort of thing happens, or I’m wasting my time, and the time of everyone who volunteers for Nine Lives behind the scenes. I hope not. I still believe in Caryl, I still believe that this fandom can be a positive, even life changing, experience for those involved and I still believe in the benefits of a place like Nine Lives. Please, continue to believe with me.


Stay safe and Caryl on,


Fairies Masquerade



--Fairies Masquerade on July 24, 2016 7:51pm 5 Comments
Summer Survival Series for July 2016 - Thy Kingdom Come... Challenge!

Challenge Dates: submission date July 30th; publication July 31st


Open to: Fan Fiction, Fan Art, Graphics, Fan Videos


THE PROMPT:


In the final episode of season 6, Last Day on Earth, we left Carol at death's door (thanks to a couple of Saviors) with Morgan her only companion, when along came two literal knights on horseback to save the day.


These armoured knights were from The Kingdom, another community we are going to be introduced to in season 7.


 



We want you to imagine what comes to be at this new location where we expect Carol to spend some time. How will she recover? What will she discover? Will Daryl show up? These are questions we'd love you to answer in this month's challenge.


You can create the Kingdom entirely from your imagination, however if you want to follow the comics we have put together a brief guide to the Kingdom HERE (Note: it contains some comic book spoilers) to help you. If you have a specific question about the comic depiction of the Kingdom not answered by the guide, please pm Ikkles.


Alternatively, you can wait until July 22nd when the season 7 trailer will be premiered at the Walking Dead panel at SDCC, and see if there's any Kingdom content to inspire you.


If you include filming spoilers in your story, please mention this in the summary so those who want to avoid spoilers can do so.


THE DEADLINE: Submissions must be turned in by midnight Pacific Time on July 30.


THE RULES:


For FANFICTION:


Send a PM to Ikkleosu or subversivegrrl that you want to enter the challenge. Even if you're not sure you'll have anything ready in time - let us know you're planning on it. YOU MUST DO THIS TO BE INCLUDED.


Write! Stories must be at least 100 words


Multiple entries are allowed!


No McReedus this time (given the theme, we assume you already knew that.)


Do not upload it yet! Wait until July 30 to upload your fic – just like in challenges past, we will be suspending automatic validation for that day for all authors who enter the challenge.


Submission Day is July 30 – post your fic. It will not appear on the archive, but will enter our validation queue. Make sure you submit it under the Nine Lives Challenge category!


Publication Day is July 31 – We will post the master list and all of the challenges entries so everything shows up at once. That way, we’re all surprised by what we get to read!


Any challenge fics posted before July 30 will be deleted.


For FAN ART/GRAPHICS


Send a PM to Ikkleosu or subversivegrrl that you want to enter the challenge --OR--


Send an ask to the Nine Lives tumblr account. Anonymous submissions are not allowed! Your Ask must include your Nine Lives username if different from your Tumblr URL.


Create!


Submit your challenge piece via one of the following channels:


Nine Lives Tumblr submissions box, OR


Email your submission to challenges@ninelivesarchive.com


Email title: First Kiss Challenge Submission
Emails must include your Tumblr OR Nine Lives Archive username along with any other information you wanted posted with your artwork.


Submission Day is July 30- We need to have your artwork submitted to our Tumblr or email by 12:00 midnight Pacific time on 7/30.


Publication Day is July 31 - We will post all artwork via the Nine Lives tumblr account and add them to the master list of challenge entries on the Nine Lives Archive.


For FAN VIDEOS:


Send a PM to Ikkleosu or subversivegrrl that you want to enter the challenge --OR--


Send an ask to the Nine Lives tumblr account.  Anonymous submissions are not allowed! Your Ask must include your Nine Lives username if different from your Tumblr URL.


Upload your video to YouTube - ensuring you select "UNLISTED" as the privacy setting. You will have a URL for your video.


Send a PM to Ikkleosu or subversivegrrl with the URL for your video, along with a title and the name you use on YouTube (if it is different to your Nine Lives name).


Submission Day is July 30- We need to have your artwork submitted to our inbox by 12:00 midnight Pacific time on 7/30.


Publication Day is July 31 - We will post all artwork via the Nine Lives tumblr account and add them to the master list of challenge entries on the Nine Lives Archive.


You can change you video's privacy setting to PUBLIC once it has been listed on Nine Lives.


Any questions? please PM an admin.


Let thy will be done!




--ikkles and Subs on July 09, 2016 9:01am 0 Comments
JULY MEMBERS OF THE MONTH - WHOO-HOO!!!

As always, we make our Members of the Month reveal their deepest darkest shipper secrets by asking the REAL QUESTIONS and sharing their answers here:


From kaoscraze82, Author of the Month:



1. What draws you to the Caryl ship?


I have always been one of those girls that’s a sucker for a good television romance, although many times I’ve been burned either due to shows being cancelled or the characters going way off balance and ruining the chemistry. When I saw the interaction between Carol and Daryl in season 2, I wasn’t exactly sure what was going to happen between them (mainly since I knew that Carol hadn’t survived in the comic book and Daryl wasn’t in it at all) but when I heard the Cherokee Rose speech and witnessed the death of Sophia, I knew that there was no way I could turn my back on them. They went through something so incredible horrific together and yet managed to come out on the other side of it stronger and better able to take care of themselves. I was fascinated by the idea that through pain can come strength and in that strength comes love and acceptance. Whether or not they get a chance to prove their love for each other on the screen, I still believe with all my heart that they love each other and there are very few characters I’ve encountered who have been able to convey that in the simple yet powerful way that they can.


2. Who are your writing influences?


I grew up being an avid book reader (my mom told me at two years old I used to fool adults by memorizing my favorite stories and flipping through pages ‘reading’ them back) and one of the favorite authors in my household was definitely Stephen King, although I didn’t get into him until much later because I was a huge scaredy cat. I try to pull the essence of his storytelling into my own work in hopes that it will bring the reader into that moment with me. I also adore JK Rowling and, despite being in my early 20’s when I discovered the books, found myself being transformed back into a child again at the absolutely magical adventure she took me through for those seven years. I also love an up-and-coming YA author named Jennifer L. Armentrout, who never seems to run out of ideas for stories and who makes her female lead characters strong and witty at the same time.


3. How do you handle writer’s block?


The simple answer to that is that I really don’t. Like everyone else, I come across it a fair amount, and find that the only way to really get rid of it and allow my creativity to flow again is to step away from writing until I feel the ideas starting to flow again. I started writing Caryl fic back in 2013 when I was not working a full time job so I had lots of time to sit around and just think about stuff. Now back in the working field it can be tough to even find the time to entertain the notion of writing but I find that if I set time aside to write I usually set myself up for failure. I went through a period of almost a year before I finally felt ready to start typing again, but I try to start with small ideas and work my way up. Doing the last three challenges really helped get my creative juices flowing again for sure, and now I have an idea for a new story as well, which is great!


4. Anything you want to say to your readers?


As always, thank you for all the kind words and support you’ve given me over these last three years. If I hadn’t found this ship and the lifelong friends I’ve made in it (including the woman who took me in and gave me a new lease on life) I don’t know where I would be right now. Despite the messy shipping wars and general annoyance at the writing on the show, this has been a good place for me and I’m so grateful to have gotten to know so many of you and share this experience together!


From faegal04, Reviewer of the Month:



1. What draws you to the Caryl ship?


There is so much about Caryl that I adore. They are two people who up until the world ended had been dealt very bad hands. They gravitated towards each other because they both can see the person who was hurt and treated badly, and they want to remind the other that they do matter in the world. I could go on an on, but I will stop now :-)


2. What do you look for in a story to keep reading?


There are so many different things that I look for. The plot is a major one for me! If the author can pull me in with just a brief summary, I am hooked! I have found that I prefer the AU world for Carol and Daryl to meet in and find each other.


3. What are your top five favorite stories?


This is a hard one! There are so many fabulous writers on this site but I will try to narrow it down :-)


Mad City by Fairies Masquerade


9 Lives by AffairWithACrossbow (this was actually the very 1st Fanfic I had ever read)


When the Levee Breaks by Haitus80


Wayward Sons by halohunter89


Demons by SOA Loving Mom


4.Anything you want to say to all the Caryl authors out there?


Thank you so much for the stories you share with us! Sometimes it can be hard to write something and put it out there for other people to read. Some may like what we write and some won't -so be sure to write what you want and not worry about the ones who don't like it! Also I know we have had a rough past season but I truly believe that Caryl will happen, so don't give up hope! Caryl is endgame!



--subversivegrrl, ikkleosu on July 02, 2016 7:37am 0 Comments
OMG IT'S FINALLY REAL: The First Kiss Challenge

I've read it happening so many different ways.
So have you.


I've written it before.
You may have too.


It has to be one of the most cherished headcanons of a Caryler: when and how they will kiss for the first time. 


Now we've dedicated an entire challenge to more speculation on that most desired of moments: When Carol and Daryl finally LOCK LIPS.


You know when it happens in canon, Caryl shippers all over the globe will shatter glass with the sound of our screaming.


But, until then - we give you Nine Lives' FIRST KISS challenge.


(This is the first time we've had fan videos submitted and I'm so excited I have to list them first. LET THE WILD RUMPUS START!!)


THE FAN VIDEOS!!!



 THE FAN FIC!!!



 


 


 



--subversivegrrl, ikkleosu on June 26, 2016 8:28am 0 Comments
July Writers Chats: Getting to Know You

Mat said WELCOMEThe Nine Lives Community keeps on growing, and with all the new names around here, we decided to get a little less formal with our July Writers Chat, and focus on getting to know each other.


We realize that sometimes the chats can be intimidating when you’re new (or not so new) around here… tons of inside jokes, past history, and general camaraderie can make it difficult to crack your way into the conversation. So, we’d love to invite everyone to come on in, kick your feet up, and get to know your fellow Caryl writers and readers (and create some new inside jokes!).


We’ll be guiding the conversation with some Caryl-related questions, but there is no obligation to participate if you simply want to lurk. We love lurkers! But we will be sure to say hello when you enter the room. It’s only polite. =)


Join us on Thursday, July 7th  from 10pm-12am EDT or Saturday, July 9th from 1pm-3pm EDT and get your social on!

Have ideas for a future chat topic on Nine Lives? Send a PM to meeshie, sweettooth7, jaibhagwan, or AlannasTara with writing topics you'd like to discuss. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Our goal is to motivate you to keep writing!



--meeshie on June 22, 2016 5:35pm 0 Comments
Admin doin's

Hey, everyone -


Due to the demands of trying to juggle both grad school and a full-time job, FairiesMasquerade is going to step back a bit on her admin activities here at Nine Lives.



All that means for you folks is that we're going to ask you to direct PMs about Nine Lives business to either subversivegrrl or ikkleosu for the time being, so that our beloved FM can get caught up with Real Life and have some breathing room.


Don't worry, she's not going anywhere - we're just shifting some of the who-does-what. She will be keeping up with what's happening, & will be involved in larger events & issues as needed.


If you've got any questions, shoot 'em to ikkles or SG!



--subversivegrrl on June 14, 2016 3:47pm 0 Comments
Summer Survival Series for June 2016 - First Kiss Challenge!

Challenge Dates: posting date June 25th; publication June 26th


Open to: Fan Fiction, Fan Art, Graphics


THE PROMPT:


"The minutes that we missed,
The idle lips that should have kissed,
Are now gently together,
The first kiss lasts forever."
- She Loves Me, Stephen Duffy.


Most of us became Caryl shippers because of the many scenes Daryl and Carol have shared over the past 6 seasons. All of those scenes spoke to us, and showed us some kind of potential that things between these two people could turn romantic.


This challenge takes that idea a little further and says imagine any of the Caryl scenes we've already witnessed could have taken a little turn and been THE scene that gave us our first Caryl kiss!


Your challenge is to take an existing Caryl scene and show how it could have easily turned into the moment their lips first met, with just a twist of the writer's pen.


THE DEADLINE: Submissions must be turned in by midnight Pacific Time on June 25.


THE RULES:


For FANFICTION:



  • Send a PM to Fairies Masquerade, Ikkleosu or subversivegrrl that you want to enter the challenge. Even if you're not sure you'll have anything ready in time - let us know you're planning on it.

  • Write! Stories must be at least 100 words

  • Multiple entries are allowed!

  • No McReedus this time (given the theme, we assume you already knew that.)

  • Do not upload it yet! Wait until June 25 to upload your fic – just like in challenges past, we will be suspending automatic validation for that day for all authors who enter the challenge.

  • Submission Day is June 25 – post your fic. It will not appear on the archive, but will enter our validation queue. Make sure you submit it under the Nine Lives Challenge category!

  • Posting Day is June 26 – We will post the master list and all of the challenges entries so everything shows up at once. That way, we’re all surprised by what we get to read!

  • Any challenge fics posted before June 25 will be deleted.


For FAN ART/GRAPHICS



  • Send a PM to Fairies Masquerade, Ikkleosu or subversivegrrl that you want to enter the challenge --OR--

  • Send an ask to the Nine Lives tumblr account

  • Anonymous submissions are not allowed!

  • Create!

  • Submit your challenge piece via one of the following channels:

    Nine Lives tumblr submissions box
    Email your submission to challenges@ninelivesarchive.com

    Email title: First Kiss Challenge Submission
    Emails must include your tumblr OR Nine Lives Archive username along with any other information you wanted posted with your artwork



  • Submission Day is June 25- We need to have your artwork submitted to our Tumblr or email by 12:00 midnight Pacific time on 6/25.

  • Posting Day is June 26 - We will post all artwork via the Nine Lives tumblr account and add them to the master list of challenge entries on the Nine Lives Archive.


For FAN VIDEOS: 



  • Send a PM to Fairies Masquerade, Ikkleosu or subversivegrrl that you want to enter the challenge.

  • Upload your video to YouTube - ensuring you select "UNLISTED" as the privacy setting. You will have a URL for your video.

  • Send a PM to Fairies Masquerade, Ikkleosu or subversivegrrl with the URL for your video, along with a title and the name you use on YouTube (if it is different to your Nine Lives name).

  • Submission Day is June 25- We need to have your artwork submitted to our inbox by 12:00 midnight Pacific time on 6/25.

  • Posting Day is June 26 - We will post all artwork via the Nine Lives tumblr account and add them to the master list of challenge entries on the Nine Lives Archive.

  • You can change you video's privacy setting to PUBLIC once it has been listed on Nine Lives.


Any questions? please PM an admin.


Now let the lips do the talking!



--ikkleosu on June 06, 2016 6:37pm 0 Comments
June 2016 Members of the Month

Congratulations to Nine Lives' Members of the Month for June 2016 - Leigh57 (author) and Herrc715 (reviewer)!!!


Leigh57 - Author of the Month



What draws you to the Caryl ship?


The list of what doesn't would be a lot shorter;) Okay but seriously, pretty much everything? I love the fact that at first glance, Carol and Daryl aren't a very likely love story at all. They started out as strangers who didn't have anything in common beyond their abusive pasts and outsider status. But over the seasons, they've transformed in a very organic way (personally I think that the Sophia arc was one of the most instrumental parts of this transformation) into a relationship where they are unquestionably each other's person.


I'm a complete sucker for mutually supportive relationships where each person would do anything for the other, and yet there's no jealousy or childishness in the way they relate. As Melissa mentioned in the LA Times interview, I love the room they give each other, the space to be themselves. It's just unconditional, non-judgmental love, and I'm reasonably sure that no matter what happens in canon, I'll be crying about it until the end of time.


Who are your writing influences?


I look up to so many writers. High on that list are Jane Austen, Emily Bronte, Madeleine L'Engle, Barbara Kingsolver, and Alice Hoffman. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Anyone who can use words to make me lose myself in a story has my never-ending admiration.


How do you handle writer's block?


Not very well, tbh! This is one of the many reasons why I've never written a multi-chapter story in the TWD-verse. When writer's block hits, I tend to spend a lot of time angrily texting my poor friends, drinking wine, and sobbing while I read the brilliant work of people who aren't suffering from the same affliction. When I really really really need to cure myself quickly, I find that music is the fastest way for me to get the words flowing. I have some go-to songs that give me all the feels, and I'll just pop one of those on repeat.


Anything you want to say to your readers?


The biggest thing I can think of is "Thank you!!!" Every time someone comments on a story or leaves warm, helpful feedback, I appreciate it so much. I love to write, but it's inevitably a struggle to make words sound even remotely the way I want them to. Since there's always so much frustration involved, sweet reviews are just a gift. So I'm pretty much a huge explosion of gratitude to everyone who reads!


 


Herrc715 - Reviewer of the Month



What draws you to the Caryl ship?


What draws me to the Caryl ship is their cherished bond. Anyone can see their bonds runs deep (like my older brother who is a casual viewer and isn't a hardcore fan. He always asks when they will get together, hehe). I began shipping Caryl after the Cherokee Rose scene. When I started watching the show, I assumed Daryl would be as pompous as Merle. However, I was in awe how his deameanor changed with Carol, and how she brought out this sweet side to him. Since then, I enjoyed their blossoming relationship-I love how they are always there for each other and genuinely care about one another.


Like Melissa said, there is an understanding they have with each other that no one else can possibly understand. Carol can't hide anything from Daryl because he sees right through her (as evidenced this season) and vice versa with him. I love their bond, and I keep holding out hope that they can actually cross that line to romance because they are the most compatable and they need and deserve each other.


 


What do you look for in a story to keep you reading?


What I look for in a story is to have a deep and enticing storyline that explores their bond. I love stories that explore the beginning of their relationship -whether it is an easy start or not- and how it develops into something more. Also, it's pretty cute seeing them act as a couple already, something I'm sure we all wish for.


I actually prefer AU stories because I am not happy with the pacing of the show. Call me impatient, but I've been shipping Caryl since season 2, and reading brilliant stories from fanfic writers that seem to have a better handle than the actual writers makes more sense and makes me happy. AUs work because Caryl has such a strong bond and chemistry, and I enjoy seeing them interact in different scenerios that we're not used to seeing on TV.


What are your top five favorite Caryl stories?


This is so difficult because if I could list all of my favorites, it would amount to more than 5 stories! This is so tough! I wish I could list all of the fanfics I have favorited and added to my iBook to re-read over and over on my tablet daily. But here are some of my favorites:


1- Sometimes Love Is Not Enough by Krissyg927


Caryl actually starts off divorced, which immediately grabbed my attention because I've never read anything with this storyline. But to see them make their way back to another blew my mind because it showed how strong their bond is and how nothing can really separate them. This just reassured me how strong Caryl is.


2- A Cry in the Thunder by CarolPeletier


This one takes place during the ZA where Caryl meet in a different scenerio and Daryl creeps his way into Carol's remaining family after her hardships. I'm a sucker for Daryl and baby fics!


3- Just One Line by Krissyg927


By the time I finished reading this one-shot story, I was sobbing! It was such a beautiful, heartbreaking story with hope that really hit me in the feels.


4- Out in the Cold by Haitus80


I love stories where Daryl goes out of his way to save and protect Carol because this is fundamental to their deep bond. This story is an example of this, where Daryl saves Carol from Ed and attempts to empower her after so many years of abuse. I feel that this is what TV Daryl would've done if he met Carol without the ZA because of their similar backgrounds.


5- We Get to Start Over by Starfur373


Daryl uncharacteristically makes his way into Carol's heart after she moves into the neighborhood with Sophia after her divorce. This scenerio makes perfect sense because Daryl has a soft spot for Carol and would do things that don't seem like him at all, and this is demonstrated in an AU that is so heartwarming.


Anything you want to say to all the Caryl authors out there?


I want to say to ALL Caryl authors out there a big THANK YOU! In all sincerity, I appreciate all of you taking time from your busy, daily lives to actually write and share your creativety with all of us. Speaking for myself, all of these fanfics make my day, and bring me so much joy. I am in awe of all of you: I seriously hope many of you are encouraged to seek a career in writing (books, novels or even for TV or films) because you guys are so brilliant. Getting email updates of my favorite stories are the highlights of my day.


I also want to give a shoutout to the authors who frequently update their stories for all of us and diminsh the wait time. I understand life happens, and the fact that you update constantly for readers is a testiment of your underlying hard work and dedication for creativity. Trust me, for readers who enjoy fanfics and are super into it, this feat is not a small one to be overlooked, and I thank you so, so, so, so much for updating asap! 


Finally, thank you also for giving me hope to not give up on the Caryl ship after 6 seasons of not going canon. Your works remind me over and over of their special bond and why this is not a ship to merely forget about or give up on. Keep writing and never give up! I look forward to reading more of your fanfics.



--subversivegrrl on June 01, 2016 6:05pm 0 Comments
June Writers Chats - Finishing Your Fic: It’s Not That Common, It Doesn’t Happen to Every Author, and It Is a Big Deal

Do you find yourself having trouble finishing? Do you sometimes need a helping hand? Are your readers often left with blue balls? If so, this is the chat for you!

We want to hear from the writers who finish every time, the ones who need a little extra wining and dining, and all you readers who’ve been left in a lurch more times than you can count (your sweet talk may just inspire our writers to let go of their inhibitions and let their freak flags fly). Some authors prefer to post chapters on the fly and feel encouraged by the pressure of leaving something unfinished to push them in the right direction. Others prefer finishing a story behind closed doors and only post it when it’s been massaged and caressed to its culmination. Whatever your guilty pleasure, we invite you all to come out and share your deepest, darkest secrets on what helps you cross that finish line. We urge you to embrace your unfinished business and bring all of your questions and concerns to this very special group love session writers chat. We’re all here for each other, and we want you to be fulfilled by your work and bask in the afterglow of completion.

Join us on Thursday, June 2nd from 10pm-12am EDT or Saturday, June 11th from 1pm-3pm EDT with a glass of red wine and some dark chocolate, for the support group that most of us writers yearn for, with a riveting discussion that may lead us to some electrifying climaxes. Let us help you find your F-spot, and leave your readers satisfied.

Have ideas for a future chat topic on Nine Lives? Send a PM to meeshie, sweettooth7, jaibhagwan, or our brand new chat moderator AlannasTara with writing topics you'd like to discuss. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Our goal is to motivate you to keep writing!

We’ll see you at the Writers Chats! In the meantime, I’ll be in my bunk…



--sweettooth7, AlannasTara, and jaibhagwan on May 24, 2016 10:22pm 0 Comments
Caryl-fy Season 6 Master List

It is Sunday and the world is as it should be because Daryl and Carol are interacting, thanks to our members and their entries in the Caryl-fy Season 6 Challenge!


Enjoy all the entries below and revel in a happy place of Carylosity that should have been season 6.


The Law of Averages by kaoscraze82


My Last Secret :The Last Good Thing on Earth by Phantom


Words Unspoken by krissyg927


From the Shadows by Phantom


Safe by MoonChild1993


As The World Falls Down by Equuleus86


The Hardest Words Are Spoken Softly by viktories


In this together by fricks75


I Can Smell the Sorrow on Your Breath by heyansky99


 


Thanks to all participants. Happy reading!



--ikkleosu on May 22, 2016 11:05am 0 Comments
May Writers Chats: Show Us, Don’t Tell Us

It was a dark and stormy night. Or...




She blinked reflexively against the sting spreading across her cheek, each raindrop hurled by the wind as another burst of cool air assaulted her. Carol ducked behind a tree, glancing toward the house again. The warm glow of a lantern outlined his silhouette, moving with a quiet grace as he worked at the tiny table beside the window. It would have been almost peaceful, watching him, if not for the slashing light and thunder ripping through the night air. Almost soothing, if she could put it out of her mind. If she could forget the reason she was here.


The air shifted, suddenly calm, and the low-blooming flutter she'd been steadfastly ignoring worked its way from darker parts of her. Her breath halted, and that flutter crept upward, snaking around her heart, constricting as though it were taking down its next meal. Pure instinct kicked in and she scrambled for the door, shoving against it as the bolt of electricity sent shards and splinters flying in every direction. A few small pieces stuck at odd angles from her arm. They probably hurt, but the sharp, angry blue eyes made the only cut she could feel.




Okay, I was having a little fun with this one (and trying to stretch my writing legs a smidge because it’s been way too long). Join us for our May writers chats when we will discuss the concept you always hear about in theory, and get tips for putting it into practice when we cover Show Us, Don’t Tell Us: Writing Descriptively.


We’ll discuss techniques for recognizing when you’re “telling” and helpful ways to move toward “showing”. And shhhhh, we may even mention times when it’s better to Tell Us, Don’t Show Us. Wha???


Come one and all on Thursday, May 5th at 10pm EDT, and again on Saturday, May 14th at 1pm EDT. Writers, readers, reviewers, lurkers, and pets welcome!



--meeshie on May 03, 2016 6:44pm 0 Comments
May Members of the Month - lilabut and fangirl8494!

lilabut - May Author of the Month



What draws you to the Caryl ship?

They crept up on me. I only started watching the show last November, and then binge watched it all over a few weekends. Around season two, I started to really enjoy the Caryl dynamic, but I wouldn't have said that I shipped them at that point. It wasn't until they were separated and the prison fell that I realized I'd been shipping them all along.

It's a combination of many things for me. I love slow burn and angst, and they provide both in ample amounts. One aspect that many of my ships share is being kindred spirits, which is something that definitely draws me to Caryl immensely. In addition to that, I love the way they have influenced each other's character developments over the seasons, and the unique bond that they share with nobody else. It's something very exclusive and intimate.


Who are your writing influences?

I am actually a little ashamed to admit that I don't read much and never really have. So, I can't really say who influences me. I did, however, read a book in school years ago called 'Effi Briest' by Theodor Fontane (I'm German, so this is a thing we read in class), and something about the writing really stuck with me, and still fascinates me to this day. He had a very descriptive style, and fleshes out even the tiniest details about the setting. While I thought it was extremely tiring to read, I still think about it today, the way he used simple descriptions of curtain colors, tile shapes, etc in ways that tie perfectly into the character development or overall theme of the story. It all has a deeper meaning in an almost casual way.

What really influences my writing is music, though. I almost always listen to music while writing, and that helps me set the mood. Years ago, when writing for a different fandom, I listened almost exclusively to one piece of music, and revealed that at some point. One of my frequent readers back then wrote something that nicely shows the influence music has on my writing: 'This song literally explains every single thing you've ever written.' Also, music lyrics really inspire me often, and play a huge part in my writing process.


How do you handle writer's block?

Essentially the same way I handle all my problems: blatantly ignoring it. I've been writing for about eight years now, and one thing I have come to learn is that it serves me no good to force myself to write. Never once have I been happy with the result of something I forced myself to write in order to update a story or finish a chapter, and the older I get the more I feel the need to actually be happy and satisfied with what I put out there.
I try to do other creative things instead. Vidding is a big passion of mine, and it's so time consuming that it takes my mind off writing for a while. All I can really do is wait to be inspired again.


Anything you want to say to your readers?

There is so much that I'd like to say, but I will try to keep it short. The response and kindness I have received here has been so overwhelmingly amazing, and unlike anything I have experienced before. Writing for this ship has been such a joy for me, and knowing that people enjoy what I write is the best reward for all the exhaustion it has brought (because writing does drain me).

I really feel like I have not earned this at all yet. Still, it's a real honor, and I am so excited about this. Thank you all so much for being so kind, smart, creative and supportive!


fangirl8494 - May Reviewer of the Month



What draws you to the Caryl ship?

It’s such an unconventional love story and we don’t get nearly enough of those on television.   I adore that their relationship is borne out of their being able to truly see one another and all their strengths and flaws.  It’s not a pretty, bland relationship, but a rich one rife with uncomfortable truths and absolute devotion.


What do you look for in a story to keep reading?

I’m a sucker for rich characterizations and believable dialogue. If you have those two components, chances are that I will make a pest of myself and review each and every charter you post. I also adore those authors who take chances with their stories. Those authors who continually challenge themselves in their writing and who don’t revert to simply recycling the same clichés are the Caryl MVPs in my opinion and we’re so lucky to have so many of those authors here at 9 Lives!


What are your top five favorite Caryl stories?

I agonized over this list because let’s be real. I’ve got Caryl top ten lists divided out by genre and authors just sitting here on my computer mocking me. Seriously, if you’re ever looking for Caryl recommendations, hit me up! But because the instructions said only five, I went with the ones that make me swoon so much I’m sure their respective authors have considered restraining orders. It’s no coincidence that these five stories are written by authors I consider to be the gold standard. So go read and review everything by them!

In no particular order because I REFUSE!

1. Broken Mirrors by ramblinrose: Brimming with the most fantastic details (Carol’s unshaved legs!), this is one of the most realistic love stories that I’ve ever read.

2. The Wonder That’s Keeping the Stars Apart by Shae: Breathtakingly original and with the most pitch perfect dialogue, this story has just captured my imagination like no other.

3. Watch it Burn by Haitus80: This story just devastated me emotionally in all the best ways and just feels so unflinchingly honest.

4. This is Now by sienna27: I just discovered this story a few days ago and haven’t even had a chance to review it. But it’s a brilliant reimagining of the show with insanely pitch perfect original characters that you will not want to miss!

5. Malevolent by Lena Carr: The idea that there could be a story where Caryl is perceived as anything but perfection is sort of unheard of and this story just executes that premise brilliantly and bravely in ways that ring very true to the characters.


Anything you want to say to all the Caryl authors out there?


4 Things:

1. Thank you. I fell down the 9 Lives rabbit hole when I was stuck in bed for months recovering from radiation. I laughed, cried, and blushed my way through most of the stories on this site and I am so grateful for you all who gave me little worlds to escape into when reality wasn’t so groovy.

2. Because fan fiction is such a labor of love for writers, I think that readers have a responsibility to give constructive input and to do a little cheerleading, especially for first time authors.  BUT if you’ve written something that doesn’t seem to get a lot of comments, please don’t automatically think it’s a reflection on your writing. Sometimes us readers are just lazy.

3. I have to give a special shout out to those authors who write their stories in their entirety before posting. Not only do I selfishly love knowing that frequent updates will be forthcoming, but I ADORE that you are telling the story you want to without reader input swaying you. Ya’ll are my fan fic heroes!

4. And because I’m not above begging in a public space, Daryl + Carol + a ranch setting x jealous awkwardness is my kryptonite! So if anyone wants to write more of that, I wouldn’t be mad ;-)



--subversivegrrl on May 02, 2016 8:18am 0 Comments
Summer Survival Series for May 2016: Caryl-fying Season Six!

Challenge Dates: posting date May 21st; publication May 22nd
Open to: Fan Fiction

THE PROMPT: It’s a Season 6 rewrite challenge!

Season 6 gave us a lot of Carol and a lot of Daryl, but not a whole lot of them together. Given how much we got from interviews, behind-the-scenes talk and more about how Carol and Daryl care about each other, think about each other, blah blah blah, not having them onscreen together seemed weird.

We've compiled a sample list of scenes that featured only either Carol or Daryl - your job is add the other half of our dynamic duo and make the Caryl magic happen! (You're not restricted to this list - any scene from S6 that contained only Carol or Daryl will fit the challenge.)



  • The Wolves' attack (6.02)

  • In the burned woods, encountering Dwight/Tina/Honey (6.06)

  • In Alexandria when the walker horde hits (6.08, 6.09)

  • In the truck when they encounter the Saviors (6.09)

  • The supply run where they encounter Jesus for the first time (6.10)

  • On the trip to Hilltop (6.11)

  • The night before the raid on the Saviors (6.12)

  • The run to Edison's Apothecary (6.14)



THE DEADLINE: Submissions must be turned in by midnight Pacific Time on May 21st.

THE RULES:



  • Send a PM to Fairies Masquerade, Ikkleosu or subversivegrrl that you want to enter the challenge. Even if you're not sure you'll have anything ready in time - let us know you're planning on it.  



  • Write!
    Stories must be at least 100 words

  • Multiple entries are allowed!

  • No McReedus this time (given the theme, we assume you already knew that.)

  • Do not upload it yet! Wait until May 21 to upload your fic – just like in challenges past, we will be suspending automatic validation for that day for all authors who enter the challenge.

  • Submission Day is May 21 – post your fic. It will not appear on the archive, but will enter our validation queue. Make sure you submit it under the Nine Lives Challenge category!

  • Posting Day is May 22 – We will post the master list and all of the challenges entries so everything shows up at once. That way, we’re all surprised by what we get to read!

  • Any challenge fics posted before May 21 will be deleted.


Any questions? please PM an admin.


Now go forth and fix the world!



--subversivegrrl on April 29, 2016 12:33pm 0 Comments
Smutfest 2 Master List

Happy Smutfest Day, Carylers! Our first round of our 3rd Annual Summer Survival Series has come to a close with a huge smash! So many took up the challenge and it has filled all of us with delight. 


Without any further ado, we present the master list of all our Smutfest 2 challenge stories!



FANFIC SUBMISSIONS



FAN ART SUBMISSIONS



We have a few authors who were granted extensions by the admins, so keep checking for updates to the challenge list.


THANK YOU to everyone who chose to participate in our first round of the Summer Survival Series! You're helping us achieve our goal of flooding the Caryl fandom with love, creativity and amazing works during this haitus. 


Its up to #TeamReader now to continue the Caryl-love fest by reviewing all these amazing stories and works of art!


Stay tuned - the details of our May challenge ("Caryl-fying" Season 6) will be announced on Friday, April 29!


Until then - happy reading and Caryl on!



--Fairies Masquerade on April 24, 2016 9:46am 0 Comments
Summer Survival Series: Smutfest 2

Carylers, NL family, friends, neighbors and that random stranger lurking the the back corner - yes, we see you - it’s time to kick off our 3rd Annual Summer Survival Series!


Those of you who are faint of heart or want to keep their fandom experience to a PG-13 rating at best, now is the time to avert your eyes.


..... 


We good? … Okay then.


Smutfest 2 is here!


We’re bringing sexy back. Smutfest was one of our most popular challenges and the most requested challenge from Nine Lives members to bring back for another round. What better way to kick off a summer of Caryl fun than to grant this popular wish? Even better - we’re inviting all the artists out there to play as well!


Here’s how this goes:


THE PROMPT: Smut. Sex. Screwing. Love-making. Whatever you want it, however you want it - fast and hard all the way to tender and sweet - bring it. With or without plot. Those of you who just want Carol and Daryl to get down and dirty, this is your moment.


THE DEADLINE:Submissions must be turned in by midnight PST April 23.


WHERE: Fanfiction will be posted on the Nine Lives Archive. Fan art and graphics will be posted to the Nine Lives tumblr account.


THE RULES: 



  • FAN FICTION


    • Send a PM to Fairies Masquerade, Ikkleosu or subversivegrrl that you want to enter the challenge

    • Write!


      • Stories must be at least 100 words

      • Multiple entries are allowed!


    • McReedus fics are allowed - however, if you're going to submit multiple entries, one of them MUST be Caryl

    • Do not upload it yet! Wait until April 23 to upload your fic – just like in challenges past, we will be suspending automatic validation for that day for all authors who enter the challenge.

    • Submission Day is April 23 – post your fic. It will not appear on the archive, but will enter our validation queue. Make sure you submit it under the Nine Lives Challenge category!

    • Posting Day is April 24 – We will post the master list and all of the challenges entries so everything shows up at once. That way, we’re all surprised by what we get to read! Any challenge fics posted before April 24 will be deleted.


  • FAN ART/GRAPHICS







        • Email title: Smutfest 2 Submission

        • Emails must include your tumblr OR Nine Lives Archive username along with any other information you wanted posted with your artwork




    • Submissions are due April 23 - We need to have your artwork submitted to our tumblr or email by April 23. 

    • Posting Day is April 24 - We will post all artwork via the Nine Lives tumblr account and add them to the master list of Smutfest 2 challenge entries on the Nine Lives Archive 



That’s everything! If you have questions, please PM an admin. Now get out there and get down and dirty like we know you can.



--Fairies Masquerade on April 11, 2016 7:21pm 0 Comments
3rd Annual Summer Survival Series

Oh, Carylers. Let’s be honest: it’s been a rough season for all of us. The waters are stormy, the tempest is raging and it is officially time to break out the emergency measures for another hiatus from hell.


It’s time for the NINE LIVES 3RD ANNUAL SUMMER SURVIVAL SERIES!


 kermit flail.gif


Indulge me for a moment and allow me to explain the backstory: we started the Summer Survival Series in our first year. FM cooked up the name about midway through the hiatus between Seasons 4-5 and it has come to encompass any and all challenges that Nine Lives’ hosts in between seasons of The Walking Dead. The past 2 years, there was a general plan but lots of room for improvisation and changing things around - it was a little planning, more than a little improv and a general “hey, why not?’ attitude, but it worked for us.


And then Season 6 happened, and the (Un)Holy Trinity of Fairies Masquerade, Ikkleosu and subversivegrrl decided it was time to go hardcore. Seriously hardcore. This year, for the first time, the Nine Lives admins have planned the entire Summer Survival Series from start to finish. Every major event from April to August has been laid out. We culled from our own previous challenge list, new ideas and suggestions from members of the Nine Lives family and have cooked up the ultimate challenge series for Caryl fans everywhere.


Before we reveal this summer’s lineup, there’s something else we need to talk about. It’s part of the reason we decided to announce the full series lineup in advance - maximum planning and preparation time. For the first time in our history, we will be expanding certain challenges to include not just fan fiction, but fan art, graphics, and fan videos.


Yup, you read that right. We told you: Seriously. Hardcore.


So, without further adieu, we present the lineup for the 3rd Annual Summer Survival Series:


APRIL 2016 - Smutfest 2
Challenge Dates: April 11-24
Open to: Fan Fiction, Fan Art, Graphics
WARNING: All challenge submissions will be rated M (Mature) and E (Explicit)

It’s back! By incredibly popular demand (no joke, it’s the single most requested challenge prompt we get) we’re kicking things off and hoping to flood the Caryl fandom with some much needed down and dirty sexy times. Sweet, loving and tender; nervous, gentle and awkward; fast, hard and angry - however you want to see our favorite characters get it on, this is your moment.


MAY 2016 - “Caryl-fying” Season 6
Challenge Dates: TBA
Open to: Fan Fiction

Season 6 gave us a lot of Carol and a lot of Daryl, but not a whole lot of them together. Given how much we got from interviews, behind the scenes talk and more about how Carol and Daryl care about each other, think about each other, blah blah blah, not having them onscreen together seemed weird. It’s a Season 6 rewrite challenge! Challengers will pick from a list of scenes that featured only either Carol or Daryl and then show what happens when you add the other half of our dynamic duo into the scene. What happens? Caryl magic happens.


JUNE 2016 - First Kiss
Challenge Dates: TBA
Open to: Fan Fiction, Fan Art, Graphics
You think the “first kiss” trope has been overdone? Think again. This challenge will run on the premise that every episode with a Caryl scene could have been the moment of their first kiss.


JULY 2016 - Thy Kingdom Come…
Challenge Dates: TBA - pending release date for Season 7 trailer
Open to: Fan Fiction, Fan Art, Graphics, Fan Videos
WARNING: This challenge will include heavy potential spoilers for anyone not familiar with the TWD graphic novels

Based on our knowledge of the graphic novels and specifically who Carol and Morgan met in the Season 6 finale, we have a pretty good idea of what lies in store in the coming seasons. This is our first look ahead to Season 7 and what could be…


AUGUST 2016 - Missing Moments
Challenge Dates: TBA
Open to: Fanfiction, Fan Art, Graphics

The showrunners have admitted that we miss a lot of the in-between moments between characters. So much of what makes our heroes Team Family happens offscreen… dammit. Well, this is where we intend to fix that by focusing on moments we know have happened but never got to see unfold on our screens. 


**Specific details and dates for each challenge will be released over the coming weeks here on the archive and through our social media accounts.** 


There you have it, my ducklings. That’s our summer in a nutshell! We’re kicking things off on April 10 with Smutfest 2, but stay tuned as we roll out more for our crazy summer of fun!


Stay cool, friends, and as always: Caryl on!



--Fairies Masquerade, Ikkleosu, subversivegrrl on April 05, 2016 1:22pm 0 Comments