(no subject)

[emansil]

I was wondering if any of you might be able to rec to me a few Slow Burn type of Drarry, or even any pairing, fics. They don't have to be your absolute faves, and I don't want anyone to go to a lot of work regarding this. I just sort of need to know "WHAT" makes a great Slow Burn.

I'm attempting to write one, well I've tried before--but apparently I'm quite bad at it. So I'm really trying on this one. Ive tried dropping lots of hints along the way, (at least I think I am). One being drawn to the other person, noticing things about them, wanting to spend time with them, but fighting it. the other person making warm and extra friendly. but not sexual, types of advances, the two of them spending time together getting o know one another. But I'm not wanting it to seem to be happening too soon. It's supposed to be slow. Right?

But I've had others look over it, and they've all said, "I'm not showing the attraction soon enough, or it needs more hints of what's happening. So, I guess I'm trying to figure out: What's not enough vs What's too much.

If any of the recs could possibly be under 25,000 words, or less even, I'd love to look at them for research purposes. Not to mention pure enjoyment.

Thanks so much, I really do appreciate it.

Comments

[gracerene]

Honestly, when I think of a true slow burn, I really don't think of any fics under 50k. For me, you need that length to achieve the "slow" part of the burn.

[birdsofshore]

I'm sorry I don't have a rec, but I wonder if you're portraying the 'slow' part of it and not the 'burn'? I am not someone who can write slow burn either, but I think I do alright with UST, so if it needs to go a touch 'burnier', maybe focus on physical stuff, noticing little details about the other person, perhaps experiencing physical stuff when they're around - heightened sensation, prickling skin etc. Nothing MAJOR but small things. Noticing their cologne, little tells like holding their gaze a tiny bit too long, thinking about them when they're not there, perhaps finding themselves absentmindedly touching an object belonging to the other person (eg stroking the wool of a coat hanging on a peg).

Idk. What is slow burn anyway? Is it like, attraction but it takes them forever to get together? Or is it that they are friends for a large part of the fic and aren't attracted to each other until later? I'm sorry, I'm not much use at all!

[nia_kantorka]

Okay, this is a rec that's a lot longer but it's the quintessence of slow burn for me.

It's from Generation Kill fandom and nearly 100k long: Born Ready by makeit_takeit. The author says so themselves in the summary: "i.e., 20 years worth of The Making of Brad and Nate."
https://archiveofourown.org/works/13278969?view_full_work=true

It's more than about attraction, but about circumstances and choices and whatnot that makes it so difficult for them to be together. Also, and I think that's a common theme among slow burn fics, their abysmal way of its MCs to communicate with the other.

I also agree with Birds that it's about the little things only the person in love realises about the other.
If you think of Sara's Girl's fic Turn (which is also a very long slow burn fic) what comes to your mind about Harry's Dracos (glimpse version or not)? I immediatly think of his lemon fragrance, his striving for order (and uneven numbers) and his hair. Harry loves these things about him (and we do it with him) and I'm sure nobody else knows them (maybe except for Narcissa who loves him as much as Harry does just differently).
To sum it up. Your readers need to fall for your characters and especially those traits that make them special to each other (flaws showing their humanity included).

So yes, I hope this helps you with your story.