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out_thereYes, reading WW fics is what I've spent my morning doing. *g*
I have three recs for![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
shayllla's West Wing fics. First of all, I'd like to point out that her fics show wonderful characterisation. I'm a sucker for fics that use that force of personality, where you hear echoes of the character in every line you read. In every line and description, you're highly aware of who's telling the story and how they view it.
I love fics where you know, without a doubt, that this is *Josh*, or *CJ*, or *Sam*. And Shayllla's fics all show this so well. It's like a slightly stylised, slightly edgier version of WW. The same characters but the emotions and reactions felt just a little deeper. Anyway, ignore my rambling and check out her fics.
We'll start with the comedy. The DoD is S2, post-Noel, and is a delightful little piece of gen fluff. As I mentioned, the characterisation is spot-on, and it's the type of fic to leave you smiling at your screen.
Donna was next, unsurprisingly. CJ told her about it because Sam said it was the sort of thing a woman could tell another woman and have it be precious and neat, but if a man told a woman she'd start to wonder about him. CJ said he was being stupid, and that she wondered about him already, but she was the one who told Donna.
Every WW fan should read A Few Cards Short of a Full Deck. It's a S4 post-ep fic for Evidence of Things Not Seen, a lovely gen piece showing how the staff worry about Josh's reaction to the gunshots.
What I really love about this fic is the switching POV. There are sections from the POV of Will, Donna, Toby, CJ, Leo, Jed and Josh. In a fic like this, I'm generally please if I only disagree with two of the characterisations. In this fic, all seven of them felt *real*. These are the characters I see on my screen, complete with their own concerns, joys, worries and biases. From start to finish, it was utterly convincing, and I can't ask for more than that in a fic.
For all of the others out there who love Josh, read Five Ways Josh Lyman Didn't Get Laid. Forget the title, this fic isn't just an excuse to get Josh Lyman naked and sweaty (although that can be a great reason for a fic, if you're so inclined). This is a great example of the way that smut scenes can show so much about a character.
Each section has a definite feel to it, a deeper meaning. Each section shows a different facet of Josh's personality and each is utterly convincing. It's also a great example of how well a Five Things fic can work.
Another reason to read it is that it's hot. This is JoshSmut we're talking about people, het and slash. Don't keep reading, if you don't want to be spoiled for the pairings.
Specifically, there's an elated Josh/Sam and everyone knows my love of this pairing. There's Josh/Leo, which she makes hot, wrong, dark and did I mention hot? There's the comfort and pity of Josh/Donna and the uncomplicated release of Josh/Joey. And there's Lord Marbury slash! I mean, Lord Marbury! Just stop for a second and remember Lord Marbury, his voice, his eloquence, his pure *style*. Now, go read and melt. *g*
I have three recs for
shayllla's West Wing fics. First of all, I'd like to point out that her fics show wonderful characterisation. I'm a sucker for fics that use that force of personality, where you hear echoes of the character in every line you read. In every line and description, you're highly aware of who's telling the story and how they view it. I love fics where you know, without a doubt, that this is *Josh*, or *CJ*, or *Sam*. And Shayllla's fics all show this so well. It's like a slightly stylised, slightly edgier version of WW. The same characters but the emotions and reactions felt just a little deeper. Anyway, ignore my rambling and check out her fics.
We'll start with the comedy. The DoD is S2, post-Noel, and is a delightful little piece of gen fluff. As I mentioned, the characterisation is spot-on, and it's the type of fic to leave you smiling at your screen.
Donna was next, unsurprisingly. CJ told her about it because Sam said it was the sort of thing a woman could tell another woman and have it be precious and neat, but if a man told a woman she'd start to wonder about him. CJ said he was being stupid, and that she wondered about him already, but she was the one who told Donna.
Every WW fan should read A Few Cards Short of a Full Deck. It's a S4 post-ep fic for Evidence of Things Not Seen, a lovely gen piece showing how the staff worry about Josh's reaction to the gunshots.
What I really love about this fic is the switching POV. There are sections from the POV of Will, Donna, Toby, CJ, Leo, Jed and Josh. In a fic like this, I'm generally please if I only disagree with two of the characterisations. In this fic, all seven of them felt *real*. These are the characters I see on my screen, complete with their own concerns, joys, worries and biases. From start to finish, it was utterly convincing, and I can't ask for more than that in a fic.
For all of the others out there who love Josh, read Five Ways Josh Lyman Didn't Get Laid. Forget the title, this fic isn't just an excuse to get Josh Lyman naked and sweaty (although that can be a great reason for a fic, if you're so inclined). This is a great example of the way that smut scenes can show so much about a character.
Each section has a definite feel to it, a deeper meaning. Each section shows a different facet of Josh's personality and each is utterly convincing. It's also a great example of how well a Five Things fic can work.
Another reason to read it is that it's hot. This is JoshSmut we're talking about people, het and slash. Don't keep reading, if you don't want to be spoiled for the pairings.
Specifically, there's an elated Josh/Sam and everyone knows my love of this pairing. There's Josh/Leo, which she makes hot, wrong, dark and did I mention hot? There's the comfort and pity of Josh/Donna and the uncomplicated release of Josh/Joey. And there's Lord Marbury slash! I mean, Lord Marbury! Just stop for a second and remember Lord Marbury, his voice, his eloquence, his pure *style*. Now, go read and melt. *g*
