#berena tag list

[lilolilyr]

A Berena (Holby City) canon-divergence getting together fanfiction on Ao3, 2k G, no warnings

I wrote a snippet that's kind of a version of this with Serena calling Elinor for her birthday a while ago on tumblr (under the cut) here, but ended up writing more of a version with Bernie and Charlotte, now it's on Ao3!

Thanks @squishmittenficfan for helping me along! <3 I know it didn't turn out particularly long anyway, but without you as a sounding board it wouldn't have gotten posted at all!

My Berena tag list: @sapphicdbc @akaanonymouth @starfleetwitch @shippingsincebeforeyouwereborn @lavendelhummel, let me know if you want to get added or removed from the list!

[lezziemanville]

rules: give us the links to your fic with the most hits, second most kudos, third most comments, fourth most bookmarks, fifth most words, and fic with the least words (feel free to interpret however you would like; if not on AO3, can be on Tumblr or FFNET!)

Thank you @applebottomclaudiajeans for the fun! I’ve not revisited my fanfic in a long time, and never even knew about fic stats until today. I so appreciate this!

Most hits: Indisposed (Miranda/Andy DWP) 25,732 hits

This was the first Devil Wears Prada fic I ever wrote. It took off so fast and I had so much support from the lovely Livejournal community, that it inspired me to believe in my own writing. I’m much too shy to attempt to re-read it now at the ripe old age of 40, but I’m happy it brought so many people joy!

Second most kudos: To Neither Give Nor Take Excuse (Bernie/Serena Holby City - AU crossover Bramwell) 600 kudos

This is one of my favorite things I have ever written. It came shockingly easy to me and I loved the process because I actually used a beta @jamieringo (the incomparable) who became a dear friend through the process. I was proud of this. I was writing in a time frame I enjoyed (it was set in Bramwell’s time period - old timey nurses are my fucking jam) and I was bouncing ideas off of a brilliant person who I just adore. 10/10 would recommend the process.

Third most comments: You’re the reason I had to stop telling lies (Ava/Deborah Hacks) 66 Comments

Okay I’m actually so happy with this one. It’s unfinished so don’t come for me, but I love the way it began. Wrote this for my bestie @badassbettyrizzo and she shames me every birthday for not finishing it. I know I will get to it, maybe after this season. It’s so hard to go back to the headspace when you’ve left the fic for a bit. This is, I think, the only Hacks fic I’ve written. Kind of crazy considering how easy a fandom can sway me.

Fourth most bookmarks: The House of Cards (Miranda/Andy DWP Sideshow AU) 91 Bookmarks

This was one of (if not the only) fics I’ve ever written with another author @ubiquitousmixie - and what an amazing writing partner to have! Guess you only have to do it once if your first time is as fulfilling as this one was! It was ages ago now but I remember sharing ideas back and forth, thinking up the trajectory of the story and plotting little moments along the path. We researched information and messaged it to each other, highlighting bits and pieces of real life sideshows that I think made it more compelling! I’m eternally grateful to have had this experience. She’s still one of my favorite authors!

Fifth most words: how memory is akin to remorse (Mademoiselle Julie/Olivia from Olivia (1951) 19,611 words

This is maybe my most favorite thing I’ve written in my whole life. I love this fic. I am not too modest to admit that I think it is actually in character and enjoyable to read. It helps that this fandom has maybe 5 fics total (so there is very little to compare it too currently) — but I loved living in the fancy world of Mlle Julie, aging Olivia to adulthood before exploring the possibility we all wondered as young lesbians - what if our beautiful female teacher ever loved us back.

Fic with the least words: Mirandy in Microfic (Miranda/Andy DWP)

What can I say, there was a time when Mirandy owned my whole ass. I was a lesbian in the early 2000s.

Final thoughts: I kind of expected more Berena to be on this list, and even some Abbott Elementary. I lived in a few popular fandoms for awhile but I’m so used to living on the periphery of popularity, in my little niche pairings that no one reads (I’m looking at you Marilla / Miss Stacy in Anne with an E). I guess, this is all to say, thanks for reading! I really do miss it.

Tags: @ubiquitousmixie @magnass @lavenderseaslug (I forget their tumblr username!!), @mylittleredgirl @chilly-flame @phantomunmasked

[backjustforberena]

WIP Ask Game

Big thanks to @ragana62 for tagging me - sorry it took so long.

Rules: make a new post with the names of all the files in your wip folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. People send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, then post a little snippet or tell them something about it!

I'll seperate them out into fandom. Which is just two: Holby City & House of the Dragon. I've not touched a lot of them in a while, but oh well. Not including the ones that are, sadly, just called "Untitled Document". And another called "dialogue from fics I'll never write", which has random things like Nurse Jackie, Maryland, and Holby as well, since the show ended and I pivoted away from starting new fics for that fandom.

House of the Dragon:

HOTD Fic Ideas - subtle, right? It's my major, master one that's clocking in at over 30,000 words.

Modern AU - which, actually, encompasses seperate documents, labelled "MODERN AU??", "GRAVESIDE VISIT - MODERN AU", "MODERN AU" and "CHAPTER TWO: Baela packs for both Rhaenys and herself..."

Sue For Peace, Tempted to Strike

Persuasion - which also has a counterpart called "Persuasion AU Outline".

Lay My Body Down - 1x10 Extra Scene

(also I'm tempted to write a little thing about Rhaenys picking Laena up from her walk with the King and I always liked the fact that she was escorted by her father and collected by her mother but now I could have Rhaenys thinking about splitting the duties and not wanting to look at Corlys because it's like looking in a mirror and she doesn't want to see herself doing this - look I haven't picked a title yet, okay?

Seasmoke Flashback WIP - this is also attached to a document called "Pale Grey Beast". It's me writing the same thing but trying to jumpstart it by starting it on a different document but keeping the original. And another just called "Seasmoke" which, ironically, features bits of High Valyrian and little bits and pieces to be used as flashbacks for this piece.

We Cannot Hide From It: Baela escapes

Your Grace

A Good Day - Rhaenys x Corlys Wedding Celebrations

Upon inheriting the title of Lord of the Tides, Corlys set upon the building of High Tide immediately, and stayed till all plans were finalisaed and foundations had begun to be built - again, I have not picked a title, I just saved the damn thing.

I Must Stand Alone

Cousins, Kings.

Aemon and Rhaenys

Saddle

Queen

Never Was, Never More: Laena and Rhaenys discuss the Capital & TQWNW

What Goes Too Long Unchanged Destroys Itself

Way Down We Go - Extended 1x10 Scene

Married In Vegas AU

Turning Page - Visiting High Tide

Holby City:

Me Before You - also attached is a document called "MB4U CHAPTER TWELVE"

Good Dreams WIP

Run and Hit C9 WIP

Collide WIP (Bernie and Serena take it slow.)

My Tears Ricochet

Berena Tears

The Not-Date WIP

Berena Juliet Roof Chat

Henrik & Bernie Post-Ep

Bernie Capture

Berena, Nicky & Juliet

Telling Jason

Gunshot

What If?

Director of Improvement

S17 E30/S18 E36

Berena Amnesia WIP - two documents, both called this

Someone You Love (Kill List AU) WIP

Berena Transfer AU WIP

Home Now - and another document entitled "Home Now C8 etc WIP"

Serena hadn’t had a home in months

S16 E40

Adrienne and Berena WIP

Berena Reunion 001

Jason dies

Spanish Kiss WIP

Reading the Journal WIP

Bloody hell, I'd forgotten about most of these Holby ones. I wonder if I should re-read any of them, see what sparks? Lord knows I left enough unfinished fics on A03.

Anyway, tagging: @leia-stark, @houseofthetides, @alicent-archive and whoever else would like to do it.

[digitalveins]

Hi ! I came from the f/f ao3 graphics post you reblogged on your old blog, and you were talking about holby city in the notes, i was curious about the f/f ship because i’d never heard of holby city before... so what’s the thing about holby city ??? The ship never became canon right ? Why was it so popular ? Have a nice day !

For context: this post about f/f stats on AO3 by @destinationtoast is what anon is referring to.

Holby City was a long running BBC drama set in a hospital, it got cancelled a few years ago (ostensibly to make room for "more diverse" shows, which never made sense to me because Holby and its sister show Casualty were some of the most diverse shows on the BBC, but there we go). The ship you're referring to, Bernie and Serena, actually did become canon eventually but that was after I stopped watching the show.

The fandom was tiny which is why it surprised me that it made it onto that list at all, but the shippers were/are extremely devoted. Personally, while I liked Berena, I never considered myself an actual shipper, so I'm not the best person to explain why it was so beloved, but the characters and actresses did have great chemistry and I think people just loved seeing two older women fall in love in a way that felt realistic and not tokenistic.

If you're interested in getting to know the ship more, I can vouch for that fandom being one of the friendliest I've ever been in, and I'm sure anyone who is still active in the Berena tag would jump at the opportunity to tell you exactly why Bernie and Serena captured their hearts!

[bitchbrisket]

Thanks to @slightlyintimidating for tagging me in the fic writer 20 questions game, I haven’t done one of these in a couple of years.

How many works do you have on AO3? 515

What’s your total AO3 word count?

Too many words to count?

What fandoms do you write for?

In the past there was a bit of Wicked, the three musketeers, more recently the Miss Fisher murder mysteries, Berena, Mamma Mia every so often but for the past few years it’s been a smidge of ghosts, an occasional foray into the wheel of time, a hefty dose of the worst witch (both 1998 and 2017) and a sprinkling of the Mallorca files.

What are your top five fics by kudos?

All of these are Berena. Mainly AU which is great. I do love an AU. I’m fond of most of these fics.

Lonely hearts of Holby (fics featuring radio are criminally underrated)

Love endures & love is kind (what possessed me to write a vicar ffs?)

Wolfesbane take me away (this turned out better than I realised it would)

Oh Major (smutty smut smut smut)

Love of a lifetime (I think I would have written this a bit differently, in hindsight) .

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

Always. Comments and kudos are never guaranteed and someone took time out of their day to show me that they appreciate my scribbles.

What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I’m not a fan of ending with angst but I have written a couple that end in death or a breakup usually because the character has been killed off. The most recent was won’t find the answer by staring at the stars.

What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Most of them.

Do you get hate on fic?

Every so often. Got a bit more a few years ago but I’ve recently had an anon who’d acted as if I’d forced her to read the story under duress and she decided I had psychological problems. Absolute lol.

Do you write smut?

I do. I try not to repeat the same phrases and wording all the time and I have a list of phrases I can’t stand reading so that makes it even more of a challenge.

Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

I’ve written a handful of crossovers. The most popular one I’ve done is Chessy from the parent trap and Miss Honey from Matilda. Someone on tumblr shipped them so I wrote the story and gifted it to them.

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I know of.

Have you ever had a fic translated?

Not that I know of.

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

I contributed to one with my friend Jaqui (I never knew you were the someone waiting for me)

What’s your all-time favourite ship?

Got lots; Serena Campbell & Bernie Wolfe, Siuan Sanche & Moiraine Damodred, Ada Cackle & Hecate Hardbroom, Agatha Cackle & Dimity Drill, Maria (?) & Baroness Schrader, Elizabeth McMillan & Concetta Strano, Bill Anderson & Harry Bright.

What’s a WIP you want to finish but probably won’t?

I deleted it in the end but I was trying to write a crossover with Poirot and Mrs Bradley. But I’m terrible at writing murder mysteries so I gave up on it in the end. I just know that the butler didn’t do it.

What are your writing strengths?

I’ve been told that I write great comedy one liners. That my writing isn’t cliched and the way I describe a character’s emotions and actions feels very real.

What are your writing weaknesses?

Extending dialogue for a long time is a struggle for me. I do well without much dialogue. Feels like a script and it seems wooden to me. And action. Can't write any action whatsoever.

Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

Fine. I’ve done it occasionally.

First fandom you wrote for?

I think Elisabeth the musical?

Favourite fic you’ve written?

I can’t pick just one. But I really enjoyed writing Sweet nothings & Wind's in my eyes, I heed your call

Tagging: @batnbreakfast @marvelousmadmadammim @sosaywefrakkinall711 @hovercraft79

Questions to respond to:

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

3. What fandoms do you write for?

4. What are your top five fics by kudos?

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

8. Do you get hate on fic?

9. Do you write smut?

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

14. What’s your all-time favourite ship?

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but probably won’t?

16. What are your writing strengths?

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

19. First fandom you wrote for?

20. Favourite fic you’ve written?

[weeklyberenafix]

Info

I've copied this directly from the updated About/FAQ page, please comment/message/inbox if you feel anything is missing or have any suggestions

his event runs from January 1st to December 31st 2023 (and maybe longer or shorter depending on how it all goes). Every Monday around 9am BST, a new one word prompt will be revealed.  The mission, should you choose to accept it, is to write a fic (any length) create some art, make some gifs, anything you like!

For links to all of the prompts and round-ups, click here.

*

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to sign up? A: No, everyone is free to join in at any point.

Q: Do I have to join in every week? A: No! You are free to join in every week if you like but you do not have to join in every week. 

Q: How can I get involved? A: It’s simple!  Every week, a new prompt will be posted containing a one word prompt. You can participate through any form of creativity, be it writing a fic, fanart, or any other creative endeavour.

Q: Does my fill have to be a fanfic? A: No you can fill in whatever form you prefer. Fics, manips, gifs, artwork. Whatever takes your fancy.

Q: When are prompts being posted. A: Prompts will be posted on Monday at 9am GMT, and then reblogged at different times during the week. If you haven’t seen the post please come over to the blog and have a look.

Q: Does it have to have a theme? A: Nope! Muses can be fickle so just let your inspiration take you where it will!

Q: Will you reblog it? A: All fills that are tagged will be reblogged by this blog. In order to make sure you’re contributions get reblogged, please tag your post with ‘Weekly Berena Fix’ or, if you prefer, send me a link to the post via our submit box and I’ll see that it gets reblogged!

Q: How can I find fills for a specific prompt? A: A weekly round-up will be created every week and posted to the blog. A list of weekly round-up posts is avaliable here. This may not always happen instantly at the end of a week, but Roundups will always come. 

Q: Can my fill be NSFW? A: Yes, following a discussion on this blog is was decided that while prompts would all be SFW that fills can be NSFW. If you fill is NSFW please make this clear. 

Q: If I am a writer can I write in my own language? Do I have to offer a translation? A: You can definitely write in your own language, just please state somewhere what language. It would be nice if you could also put somewhere what the prompt word translates to in your language. It would be nice for you to translate the fic but this isn’t required.

Q: Can i suggest a prompt A: Yes my inbox and messages are open for any prompts and you can submit as many different prompts as you like. 

Additional Info: 

How to participate - No need to sign up - there will be a one word prompt a week.  Remember this is supposed to be fun. There are no minimum word counts or limits to what you can do (just make it Berena-centric, of course.)

Tagging! I am asking that you please add the following TWO tags to your post! This is to allow for masterposts to be created.

Weekly Berena Fix Berena Fix [weekly prompt] (without the brackets) I am also asking that everyone tags @WeeklyBerenaFix (due to the issues Tumblr seems to be having with tagging)

If you want to add additional tags go right ahead, but I’m hoping to make it easier to find the fills to reblog this way. If you think I’ve missed reblogging your fill (or you’re just excited!) please drop me a link in the submit box and I’ll make sure your fill gets reblogged to the blog!

(please keep in mind that I am working mum, I may be super busy with work, I may have a busy day with my children or your day might be my night, so be sure to give me time to get to all the fics!)

Any questions/suggestions, please feel free to send a message or ask 

[mxquill]

Berena appreciation week: Day One (The Moment You Started to Ship Them) |  19x07 // 19x11 // 18x20

[pers-books]

Top 10s Meme

I was tagged by @thisbluespirit - thanks for the tag (I think! 😜)

Rules: List your “top 10” (or up to 10 if you haven’t written that many) fics ranked by kudos on AO3. Are you surprised by what’s most popular to your readers? Then, under a cut, provide your ranking of your personal top 10 fics (with explanations if you want!), and then tag a few fellow writers!

My top 10 fics by kudos:

Letters to a Naturalist (Holby City) (30,350 words) Kudos: 203

Jason Haynes: Matchmaker (Holby City) (17,560 words) Kudos: 186

The Red String of Fate (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (TV)) (51,896 words) Kudos: 183

One Life Stand (Holby City) (33,815 words) Kudos: 161

The Hacktivist, The Agent, and the Clairvoyant (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (TV), Thor (Movies)) (35,849 words) Kudos: 155 

The Locum (Holby City) (9,202 words) Kudos: 148 

Bean and Gone (Holby City) (11,880 words) Kudos: 147 

It's not a date - it's just dinner at a fancy restaurant (Holby City) (9,100 words) Kudos: 138 

Action and Reaction (Star Trek: Discovery) (1,783 words) Kudos: 135 

Berenice Wolfe's Romantic Heart (Holby City) (6,000 words) Kudos: 13

I guess my only surprise is that there’s only one Disco (Star Trek: Discovery) fic in there, but it’s rather nice that apart from #3 and #5, they’re all Sapphic fics! Actually, I’m slightly surprised there are no James Bond (Craig)/M (Dench) fics in my Top 10 - in fact, I’ve just checked and I’d have to list my Top **40** before I hit a Bond fic - and then it doesn’t even have 100 Kudos! (Mind, I’m not complaining that my Holby fics are vastly more popular!)

I haven’t really considered which are my Top 10 fics - I like things when I’m writing them, then I don’t tend to give them much thought because I’ve already moved on to writing something else!!

But, that said (and in no particular order because Dammit, Janet, I am not gonna try to rank my own fics!):

Letters to a Naturalist (30,350 words) (Holby City) - this one is ALWAYS gonna be a fave because it was a fic I wrote over several months, sending copies of physical letters used in the fic to a member of the Berena fandom and at the time I got a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction out of doing it that way.

Snapshots: Four New Beginnings (12,960 words) (Holby City) - I had great fun giving Bernie different careers in the Arts and finding ways for her and Serena to meet.

The Name's Wolfe, Berenice Wolfe: 007, Licensed to Thrill (3,200 words) (Holby City) - and on the topic of AUs, Bernie Wolfe as a 007 Agent was just a fun way to combine an old fandom (Bond) with a new one.

The Long Road to Happiness (8,140 words) (Holby City) - oh look ANOTHER AU! Quelle surprise! 😜 This time Bernie and Serena were child actors together and Bernie fell in love, but Serena gave up acting, got married, had a child, and Bernie continued to carry a torch...

McKinnie and Wolfe: Monster Hunters (6,000 words) (Holby City) - written for a Holby Monster Mash and inspired by a collection of short stories by a favourite author, I just had great fun with this one.

Lascia Ch'io Pianga (Let Me Lament My Cruel Fate) (750 words) (James Bond) - the first time I’ve ever written a fic with an ambiguous ending. Funny thing is, some readers asked me to write a second chapter or sequel fic and I did try, but I just couldn’t make it work.

Sing In Me, Muse (1,362 words) (Star Trek: Discovery) - this was an AU fix-it for S1 of Disco and I love its simplicity and tenderness.

Beyond the Battle at the Binary Stars I (768 words) & Beyond the Battle at the Binary Stars II (1,379 words) (Star Trek: Discovery) - another AU fix-it for S1 of Disco in 2 parts that I found deeply satisfying to write.

Joy Is Not Made To Be A Crumb (8,500 words) (Doctor Who 2005) - a rarepair ship (Kate Stewart and Martha Jones) that I’ve always known will never attain any kind of popularity, but I don’t care - I just love writing them!

The Winter Queen, The Summer King, and the Spring Knight (9,536 words) (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) - this only has 30 Kudos, but I like it because it takes the mythology of AoS and combines it with fairytale and I think I did that rather neatly.

Who to tag? Well: @slightlyintimidating @doctorjameswatson @lapalfruity @daisydoctor13 @ceridwyn2 @riversofmars @meluisart @onaperduamedee @backjustforberena @hokuspokusthings - with the usual caveat that you don’t have to participate if you’re not feeling it.

[berenasecretsanta]

Berena Secret Santa 2021

Hello everyone,

It’s the time of the year to be jolly and give some fandom gifts!

How to join in on Berena Secret Santa?

1. Sign up: Fill out the sign-up form by Wednesday, 24th November 2021. The link to the form can be found in a pinned post on our blog. (Tumblr doesn’t like posts with external links, so we can’t include it here.)

2. Get matched: We’ll sent you an email with all the details of your match by the end of Friday, 26th November 2021. Check your spam folder if you haven’t received an email by that time and contact us if you absolutely can’t find one.

3. Make a gift: Use the information sent to you, browse through your giftee’s tumblr, send them anonymous asks to clarify any questions you might have or just to say hello. Start creating and feel free to join in on our creative sprints!

4. Post your gift: Sign-up on the posting schedule and post your gift to your blog and ao3 on Sunday, December 26th. Make sure to @ your match and our blog, and don’t forget to tag #BerenaSecretSanta! This way we can reblog all gifts and post a master list at the end of the event.

—

General Guidelines

You will receive at least two prompts from your giftee when you are matched. While we understand that inspiration can be fickle, please try to accommodate at least one of your giftee’s requests

NEW THIS YEAR: With the emergence of the Russell/Redgrave Cinematic Multiverse, we’ve decided to open the field a bit. When you sign up, please indicate if you are willing to receive work based on characters from the RRCMV. Please keep in mind that this is simply an option, not a requirement. No one should feel they have to write something other than Berena!

Bear in mind that when you sign up you commit to making a gift for your match. It’s sad to not get a gift when you expected one and no one wants to be sad around Christmas. If you think you’re unable to post (even a first chapter), let us know as soon as possible. We won’t judge and work out a way to either change your deadline or contact a pinch hitter.

If you have turned off anon asks, be as specific as possible when filling out the form. You can also post a note to your Secret Santa on your blog. Tag it #BerenaSecretSanta (and hope for the best with tumblr’s search function). Or send us a message to forward to your giftee/Secret Santa - we’ll anonymize and forward them.

Fanfiction

Minimum of 1000 words, no maximum word limit

No lasting major character death

Please tag accordingly

At least the first chapter has to be posted on Sunday, December 26th

Fanart/Manips

One fully finished work

Medium to high image resolution

Equivalent effort to any edit or other type of graphic

Please handle explicit content by posting it with a 'read more’

If you have any questions, feel free to message us or send us an ask!

[batnbreakfast]

I posted 1,362 times in 2022

354 posts created (26%)

1,008 posts reblogged (74%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@ktlsyrtis

@starfleetwitch

@aquitainequeen

@batnbreakfast

@lapalfruity

I tagged 1,306 of my posts in 2022

Only 4% of my posts had no tags

#berena - 196 posts

#it’s a bat’s life - 159 posts

#serena campbell - 117 posts

#bernie wolfe - 103 posts

#zoom booze no doom - 86 posts

#jemma redgrave - 62 posts

#oh my… - 45 posts

#doctor who - 38 posts

#holby city - 32 posts

#fandom life - 29 posts

Longest Tag: 123 characters

#i’m also all in for putting a virtual horse head into the virtual bed of anyone who brings the twitter drama mood back here

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Zoom, Booze, no Doom - Belated Anniversary

Hello everyone,

here we go - finally there’s time and energy to say:

Happy Birthday, Berena fandom Zoom!

“I’ve actually never watched Holby,” I confessed at one point, while already part of the fandom.

“We should do a Berena group watch with the fandom friends,” @danceswithcows01 mused.

Soon after everyone was more or less advised to stay at home and a virtual group watch didn’t seem so weird anymore and we started

Zoom, Booze, no Doom

- a weekly Saturday evening meeting for everyone who wanted to see our two favourite doctors pining, kissing and being loveable idiots.

The initial plan was to stop after “For Eternity”, and sure, we did stop the first rewatch at that, but we still all stayed home most of our time.

So we met a week after and watched Silent Witness. Inspector Lynley. The Grid. What The Butler Saw. Doctor Who. Berena again, doom included. The Cazalets. Bramwell. Serena’s Holby scenes. By now there was a list of what we watched to keep track of things.

Me, doing something almost every Saturday for two years in a row? Honestly, I don’t know how that happened. It’s still great fun though. Something steady in curious times, even if life gets back to be a bit more normal again.

I’m also pretty sure that the Zoom has changed how this fandom interacts with each other. Which is great to see, sometimes even in person.

I should stop my musings now though, before you all go TL/DR on me. 😅

So, come join in on

Two Years (and a bit more) of Zoom, Booze, no Doom

Saturday, the 7th of May

Germany 9pm

UK 8pm

Wisconsin 2pm

We’ll start to watch (drumroll) Holby City Series 18, where a certain Major recovers astonishingly fast from being blown up (for the first time) and a certain vascular surgeon struggles not just with her car.

I’m looking forward to seeing you all - and if you never ever took part in a Zoom so far and wonder if it is okay to join in for the anniversary celebrations? Of course it is! Everyone is welcome to join in.

43 notes - Posted May 5, 2022

#4

See the full post

47 notes - Posted August 15, 2022

#3

I just woke up, opened the curtains and…

See the full post

50 notes - Posted April 3, 2022

#2

Well, good morning to me and the 358,637 emotions that I’m still having about Serena Campbell, Bernie Wolfe, and their last episode.

82 notes - Posted February 9, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Are you really bi? You only ever post about chicks

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115 notes - Posted November 5, 2022

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[lilolilyr]

My Berena tag list, lmk if you want on/off it: @sapphicdbc @akaanonymouth @starfleetwitch @madam-wakefield @shippingsincebeforeyouwereborn

Bernie Wolfe x Serena Campbell (Holby City)

Summary:

After moving back to Holby, divorcing her husband and working odd hours, Bernie feels incredibly lonely in the time between Christmas and the New Year. She decides to take some time off to find herself and have fun...

As she goes out to a gay club one night, Bernie gets more than she had expected, but she definitely isn't complaining!

Stats: 3k, rated E, no warnings

Podfic Length: ~20 Minutes

The wonderful @wilfriede made a Podfic of one of my Berena fics! :D I love it, it's great adsfghjkl thank you so much! <3

It was made for @summerpodficswap 2024, a wonderful event that I also had fun making some podfics for!

The original text version of the fic can be found here. I was prompted to write it by @slightlyintimidating - maybe you'll enjoy the podfic too!

Thank you for the cover art @die-schwanenkoenigin, it looks amazing! <3

[berena-cpr]

Unfinished Masterpieces - Fic Rec List

Remember the WIP on ao3 you can’t let go? The one that resonated with you? The one that you’d give anything to know how it ends?

While the Berena Creative Project Resuscitation event is all about starting to work again on projects sitting in our draft folders, life can get in the way of finishing a project for a hundred reasons.

These works, posted, but still a few chapters short of ending, are loved though and with this list we’d like to share the love for the unfinished masterpieces one can find in the Berena tag on ao3.

Given the high response we had when we asked to tell us about your favourite WIPs, you’ll find the list under the cut:

Anything Else to Declare? - LittleMissO

“I've personally had sleeping issues since I read LittleMissO's Anything Else to Declare because yeah, I'm still there, breath held and heart pounding like crazy after the most delicious slow burn, and pining, and that outrageously flirtatious conversation over a whiskey.”

that line between your heart and mine - ktlsyrtis

“it is just plain hot but also I love the idea of them writing letters to each other and I also love the exploration of what their relationship might be like with Bernie still being in the RAMC.”

you disappear like your cigarette smoke (now the taste of your kiss is all that remains) - bonnissance

“A wonderful, emotional angst filled fic, looking at how Bernie’s life might still have progressed after Serena left. I loved how it showed her testing her own boundaries to see if it was possible to find another relationship with someone else and when she found that wasn’t something she could do, she accepted it and found other ways to be happy without Serena. I reread it fairly often because although unfinished it doesn’t ever seem incomplete. But the last word “Serena” always leaves me full of a hope that I would dearly love to have fulfilled.”

Secrets in the Dark - Wonko

“I’d love to see this continued!”

For a Good Time Call - Regency

“Young Serena using that pure sex voice of hers to make a little extra as a phone sex operative, and young nervous Bernie taking the first tentative steps in exploring her sexuality. Who better than Serena to help her figure things out? The premise of the fic is ingenious, the writing amazing, the dialogue just outstanding. Hot, sexy, soft and full of compassion and feels. I would sell a kidney to read the next chapter to this – Bernie and Serena meeting years later and recognising each other’s voices.”

you're the only one I never looked for - gutsandglitter

“Never expected I'd enjoy a Baby Boom AU, but I love this fic. Serena hanging out in the country feeling extremely overwhelmed and constantly running into this weird tall, awkward woman named Bernie is a mood. I will forever hold out hope for an update so that I can someday read about them having lots of sex (after an appropriate amount of angst, miscommunication, and unexpected grocery store encounters, of course).”

Things Kayryn doesn't write - Kayryn

“So they’re not exactly unfinished, because they are complete, beautifully crafted, amazingly inventive, head canons, but they’re not completed fic’s so I’m counting them. I actually think that’s one of the lovely things about them, there’s a full story in there but enough space in them to bring your own imagination to the details. The fact that every head canon is spot on and you can completely image it happening is the icing on the cake, and the perfect characterisation is the cherry on top. Canon could have taken lessons from from Kayryn”

I Want to be Your Fantasy (Maybe You Could Be Mine) - Regency

“I just love the concept and the first chapter just pulled me in and I so very much want to know what happens next.”

Notting Hill - Bat_and_Breakfast

“All the “Rom Com idiots in love but they don’t know it miscommunication capers” re-envisaged for Berena you say? Sign me up! I love the way the plot of Notting Hill is absolutely recognisable, but never at the expense of Bernie and Serena’s characters. Everything they do, their responses, the dialogue, is so them. And the cleverly cast Holby regulars as supporting stars - genius. It’s an absolute triumph of transformative work. It’s wonderfully and engagingly written. If you’ve ever got sucked into watching “just a bit” of rom com and found you’ve just lost a couple of hours of your life - this fic does the same thing.”

Follow Me There - troiing

“Full disclosure: I’ve never watched Sanctuary and I know nothing about the characters. But this crossover fic is so good, that it doesn’t even matter.”

hold me closer (tiny dancer) - serenacampbell

“I don’t know why I’m so attached to that fic, but I am. I love the premise of a slow burn fic where the characters still get to do sexy things during the awkward slow burn oblivious period. It’s like the best of both worlds.”

Machu Pechinku - Jrnsaxa

“Forget France and Nepal, what if Serena spent her sabbatical in Peru? The setting in this is beautifully vivid, as is the the delicate ways in which Serena and Bernie start to reconnect after Elinor.”

Hello, Major - lesbianquill

“This is a near perfect Serena being fixated on Bernie in fatigues fic. The first chapter is very insightful, helping us to understand why Bernie might not be happy to accede to Serena’s small kink/obsession. That of course doesn’t last for too long because Bernie loves Serena and she loves having sex with Serena. It was offered as a smutty one shot, but then they rewarded us with an even smuttier second chapter and teased us with the news that a third chapter would be forthcoming. It never happened. Main reason for wishing it could be continued? I enjoy well-written smut.”

In the Spirit of Three Stars - alwayssomethingelse

“Bernie and Serena as Federation officers on Deep Space Nine. Oh, the potential!”

Anatomically Correct - phantomunmasked

“Bernie severely overcompensating for any possible awkwardness in their first time by ordering a mountain of sex toys is a premise that will always delight me. Every time I go back to this one, I ponder what their weekend away would bring with a big grin.”

The Clinic - RexWolfe

“Maybe it’s all the Bramwell we’ve been watching, but this one’s been on my mind lately. Can’t go wrong with a Victorian AU.”

a life in pictures - Regency

"I soooo want to see Serena maybe modelling for Bernie (or at least just how the date goes)”

working up a storm inside my head - sevtacular

“While this isn’t actually an unfinished fic in the sense of chapters missing, the prompt fic collection of Sev can always be added to as far as I’m concerned. Love what has been written so far, hope there will be new chapters with time.”

Body and Soul - ChalkHillBlue

“Possibly the weirdest AU idea ever, this body swap AU makes my brain go crazy with the possibilities every time I read it.”

When We Need One Another The Most - Whispersmummy

“I know this isn’t strictly Berena but it wouldn’t have been written if not for the Berena fandom who love most every conceivable way these two dorks might get together. Very well written (imo) and cleverly constructed fic. Lots and lots of angst and who doesn’t love angst? Only thing missing is a small amount of smut. (Yes I’m back there).”

Ring In The New - fiveroundsrapid

“Fics where Bernie comes to Holby before/during Adrienne’s illness are my kryptonite, and this one is so good!”

Holby One: A Star Wars AAU Story - elitryalittle

“Holby One is my favorite unfinished fic. It’s not just because I came to Berena via Star Wars (a bit of an unusual way, but here I am), but also because I can totally see Serena as a healer and Bernie as a Jedi knight. Kudos for their excellent knowledge of the SWU and this great idea of a crossover fic. I’d give them a limited edition “Looking for Leia” patch and a sticker if they’d finish it.”

to gaze at you, from afar (I sigh, I sigh, I sigh) - bonnissance

“The photographer/model AU you never knew you needed in your life, but you really, really do.”

Heroic Endeavor - Nicolaruth27

“I never would’ve thought I’d be down for a Greek god AU, but this fic has permanent residence in a corner of my brain. Bernie as Athena in mortal form is inspired, and the way the fic is interwoven with canon is a delight.”

what a lovely way to burn - ktlsyrtis

“I just love anything that's weaved into canon but with them being happy and dating and communicating."

Love, Unexpected - Igerna

“Bernie is still married to Marcus when she meets Serena during a conference. They immediately bond and keep in contact, sharing both professional advice and thoughts on their private lives. Love, for them, happens rather unexpectedly. I do love conference fics and slow burns - and this is a good one.”

a little less war torn - kitnkabootle

“The setup for this - in which Serena is the one who goes to help when Bernie is brought to Holby, instead of Raf - is one of my favorite ‘what ifs’ to ponder, and the writing is outstanding.”

[backjustforberena]

WIP folder xoxo

Rules: post the names of all the files in your WIP folder regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them and then post a little snippet of it or tell them something about it! And then tag as many people as you have wips. I have deemed that this isn’t just for writing either. Sketch titles? Comics? Dnd campaigns? If you have an unfinished project, it counts!!

(Tagged by @pers-books)

So, these are a lot of WIPS that I keep on Google docs. Some have titles, some start with whatever the first line is because I was in a rush/lazy. All are Berena fics. Some are one shots, some are plans, some are isolated WIPS of chapters from fics that are already half published online, and I’m sure I’m not writing all of them but here we go:

Henrik + Bernie Post-Ep

Berena, Nicky & Juliet

Berena Amnesia WIP

Someone You Love (Kill List AU) WIP

S17 E30/S18 E36

“There’s a sight for sore eyes...

Adrienne and Berena WIP

Home Now C8 etc WIP

Jason Dies

Collide WIP (Bernie and Serena take it slow)

Reading the Journal WIP

Holby has never felt like Bernie’s...

Good Dreams WIP

The Not-Date WIP

Berena Juliet Roof Chat

On that grey and rainy day...

Hairdressers AU

Marcus not Alex...

Berena and Fleur Hangover WIP

Secret Admirer WIP

Director of Improvement

MB4U Chapter Twelve

Tagging: no one, as I think everyone has been tagged at this point! But feel free to copy this format x

[ylizam]

Rules: tag 9 people you want to get to know better or catch up with (or tag whomever)

Tagged by @sapphoshands

Favourite color: orange

Last song: I’ve been listening to the Yellowjackets playlist/soundtrack/whatever we’re calling it, feeling very my age indeed, and paused after Miss World by Hole. 

Currently reading: what is reading? (I’ve been reading She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan for a while—it’s taking me forever not because of anything to do with the book, which I’m digging, but because reading has been so hard over the past couple of years. thanks, I hate it. also because I own it so any time something comes in from my library holds I try to read that instead, mostly failing, because 2 weeks is NOT long enough my friends. not anymore. I also have The Bright Ages: A New History of Medieval Europe open and technically in progress. oh, and Saint Augustine’s Confessions.)

Last movie: we rewatched My Cousin Vinny relatively recently, and I think that’s the answer to this although it’s entirely possible that I’ve watched-and-forgotten something between then and now. my brain: sieve. 

Sweet, Savoury, or Spicy: yes, and. (although I have a relatively low spicy heat tolerance level, if I’m going to be honest. I still love spicy foods though.)

Currently working on: apparently my brain is only good for writing Law & Order: SVU fic right now because that’s basically my active WIP list: the exorcist AU, the vigilante AU, and then today I started writing one where Liv and Amanda bang very messily in season 13 (which might end up being something like 5 people Liv banged and one she didn’t or something, I have ideas for some other people, but idek). but also the original thing is in the not-outlining-exactly stage. and I’m going to finish a Berena thing next month. and I can’t stop thinking about Wheel of Time and Moiraine and Lan and Siuan, so while I’m not working on anything about them I can feel it just underneath the surface. waiting. lurking. possible. 

Tagging: I have no clue who has already answered these, so consider yourself tagged if you haven’t and want to. 

[lezziemanville]

First Line Game

Tagged by the delightful @selkiewife who by the way, writes exquisitely well.

Rules: List the first lines of your last 20 stories (if you have less than 20, just list them all!). See if there are any patterns. Choose your favorite opening line. Then tag 10 of your favorite authors.

1. The letter came on a Friday which made it all the crueler.

2. On Saturdays, after her long afternoon walks, Muriel Stacy likes to stop and smell the flowers that line the red roads of Avonlea.

3. “Is she… mad?” Roman looks up at the two well-dressed, muscular men standing in front of him in the kitchen of his penthouse apartment.

4. Lydia Quigley never wanted children. Or perhaps there was a time or two, when she had thought of it.

5. The fireworks have long since gone out and only a faint smell of smoke lingers in the crisp night air.

6. The cinema lights flicker in the gentle way they do, illuminating and darkening the theatre in abstract as Cathy and Michael take their seats.

7. “You have to?”

8. Michael adjusts his tie and looks at himself in the reflection of the church glass before taking a deep breath and walking through into the church.

9. “Oh hi Michael, you’re early aren’t you?” Kelly lets Michael into the house after the third time he’s knocked, “Cathy’s upstairs.”

10. Ellen sometimes treats herself to a touch of extravagance and visits The Carlyle Hotel on the upper east side.

11. "What makes you feel shameful my dear?" The Marquise de Merteuil whispered in to the shell of her ear, penetrating the silence of the bed chamber.

12. Eleanor dug the tips of her fingers into her temples as she exhaled slowly and steadily.

13. A letter arrives in Serena’s post box at the end of a long, relatively uneventful summer.

14. Serena fumbled through the box on the seat of her car, taking care that all necessary patient files were safely tucked inside.

15. To say she regretted the whole thing was the biggest understatement of the year.

16. Bernie listens at the door of the bathroom, the faint strains of Solomon Burke’s voice filling the air, mixing with the smell of Serena’s perfume.

17. Bernie feels the day of her return like a blade to an artery, looming and menacing.

18. “Here you are, have a look at this then.” Serena leaned across the station that Bernie was seated behind and dropped ultrasound photos on the desk in front of her.

19. When Ric enters AAU, he runs in to Serena almost immediately in the hallway, “Ric what a pleasure.”

20. Serena slides about in her office chair uncomfortably, trying to subtly adjust the undergarments fighting against her body.

Patterns: What I’ve noticed is I don’t write poetic first sentences. They’re very much utilitarian, moving the story forward heavy footedly. It’s such a shame after reading the beauty of @selkiewife’s work! Also good lord did I write a lot for Berena. Never even got into my Gunsmoke stuff.

Favorite: I don’t like any of them tbh.

Tag 10 faves: @magnass @janetfraiser @culturepopper @ubiquitousmixie @chilly-flame @spilled-notes anyone that wants to do this. I forget which friends who write are still active on tumblr.

[tebarambles]

First Lines Meme

I was tagged by @pers-books - thank you!!

Rules: List the first lines of your last 20 stories (if you have less than 20, just list them all!). See if there are any patterns. Choose your favourite opening line. Then tag 10 authors!

I’m only including my Berena stories here, because a) the others aren’t on ao3 yet and b) i need to revise them before i’d even consider putting them there :D

Anyway, here goes...

1. here’s to us (even if we’re miles apart) [WIP]

“Auntie Serena, are you there? I have something to show you!”

2. But when I tried my thoughts to speak, emotion made my mind so weak

Something feels off, but she tries to push the thought aside, tries to focus on those strong hands she has been yearning for, undressing her, roaming her body. 

3. And you deserve what you are given [WIP]

Serena sighs heavily and swallows the dregs of the mediocre Shiraz she has been served.

4. Berena Advent 2018 - Prompt: Gift Wrapping

“Why exactly are you rummaging through the cabinet at this ungodly hour?”

5. Berena Advent 2018 - Prompt: Carol Singing

Every person who spends more than half an hour in the same car as Berenice Wolfe is bound to find out that the Major couldn’t even sing on key if her life depended on it.

6. Berena Advent 2018 - Prompt(s): Mistletoe and Hospital Kisses

“Fletch, it’ll be fine. There really is no need to get him transferred to St. Mungo’s for this. All we can do now is wait for the potion to start working its magic,” Serena chuckled at her own silly pun, trying to make light of the situation.

7. Berena Advent 2019 - Prompt: Frost

Bernie shudders and pulls up the lapels of her coat in an attempt to fend off the cold.

8. Berena Advent 2019 - Prompt: Snow

Serena sighs as she stares at the computer screen.

Patterns? Let’s see... Serena seems to sigh a lot :D And I tend to jump right into the story rather than setting the scene.

I think my favourite opening line is the one from But when I tried my thoughts to speak, because of the sentence structure that kind of stands out among the others. The pacing of the whole story is very different from how I usually write, and while it has been a challenge, it is one of my favourite fics that I have ever written.

Not tagging anyone, because I feel like most of you have been tagged at least twice already.