themostepotente | Fandom Poll and Discussion: The Fundamental Fanfiction Exchange Thread

Fandom Poll and Discussion: The Fundamental Fanfiction Exchange Thread

Since fanfiction exchanges seem to be so big in fandom, I thought I would do a huge discussion to gauge everyone's opinions on them. The two biggest Potterverse exchanges --

merry_smutmas and

reversathon -- were huge successes and this year will mark the third round of

merry_smutmas, now in full swing.

First off, I'd like to start by applauding the efforts of

gmth hostess of

merry_smutmas,

fluffyllama hostess of

reversathon,

lysrouge and

lizardspots hostesses of

hpvalensmut,

starrysummer hostess of

hp_springsmut, and

underlucius hostess of the first annual

harry_holidays. I know it can be very time consuming, and without the cooperation of its participants, quite hectic I'd imagine.

I, for one, am a big fan of fic exchanges and have participated in four since I joined fandom. I regret passing on this year's

reversathon, but I hope to participate next year and happily enjoyed the entries of those that did.

And this year's

merry_smutmas looks to be the biggest and baddest yet!

So without further adieu, I bring you the ultimate fan fiction exchange thread: part poll and part discussion. Looking forward to everyone's thoughts and input!

[Poll #561327]

And what's a TMP discussion without a few essay-type questions? *G*

1.) Are you generally satisfied or unsatisfied with the fics you submit? Explain.

2.) How do you think the drop-outs (last minute or otherwise) and the complainers (those who are unsatisfied with their assignments and bitch to the hostess) should be handled?

3.) What are your thoughts on pinch-hitting? (Writing a last minute emergency fic)

4.) And lastly, what has been your favorite fic exchange and why?

--P

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

1.) Are you generally satisfied or unsatisfied with the fics you submit? Explain.

I think so. I wrote two for

reversathon and four for

slashfest, and I was pretty happy with all of them. I was particularly pleased with the James/Remus/Sirius for

reversathon, and my two non-HP fics for

slashfest. The American Gods fic had me chewing my nails when I wrote it, I wasn't sure if I could pull off the pairing, but when it was finished, I was pretty proud of myself for managing it.

2.) How do you think the drop-outs (last minute or otherwise) and the complainers (those who are unsatisfied with their assignments and bitch to the hostess) should be handled?

People who drop out for no good reason at all should be strung up by their toes. I mean, I understand that RL happens sometimes, and that kind of stuff is excusable, but when it's just 'oh, I overbooked myself' or 'oh, I forgot', or 'oh, I just didn't get around to it, that is just not on.

As for complainers, I see both sides. I was tearing my hair out when I matched people up for an eight person fic exchange at

quadrashag. I can't even imagine what it was like for

gmth or

fluffyllama.

If I got assigned something I'd specifically said I couldn't write, I'd say something. If I got assigned something I failed to mention I didn't want to write, then it's my own business. For

merry_smutmas, the signup said I'd be responsible for anything I didn't specifically mention, so I went out of my way to mention it. I felt kind of like a pill, with my laundry list of character no-nos, but I thought it was for the best to do it up front.

3.) What are your thoughts on pinch-hitting? (Writing a last minute emergency fic)

I did a pinch-hit for

reversathon. The prompt was actually harder than my original request, but luckily, whoever bailed did si early. I received my pinch-hit assignment just a week after I received the original, so I had plenty of time to think about it. I think pinch-hitters are ace, myself. Expecially the people who have pulled a fic out of their nose in a matter of hours to keep a fest running smoothly.

4.) And lastly, what has been your favorite fic exchange and why?

Well,

reversathon was my only 'exchange'. I didn't receive fic back for

slashfest, because I missed prompt submission.

I'll try not to make my response into an essay, cause I am sleepy and need to go home soon.

1.) Are you generally satisfied or unsatisfied with the fics you submit? Explain.
I am generally satisfied. I have no idea if the other person is, though. I'm just talking about challenges in general though - the only complaint I tend to get is if I don't include smut, but end on a hopefully-smutty note. Which is neither here nor there (as I suck at smut, and really, the leave-offs are probably better than what I would actually try to write).

2.) How do you think the drop-outs (last minute or otherwise) and the complainers (those who are unsatisfied with their assignments and bitch to the hostess) should be handled?
Drop-Outs: Depends on the situation. If they say nothing and make NO effort to contact the mod, they should be banned from participating further. But I think if you contact the mod the first time, it should be fine. It's only if you make a habit of it (like doing it a second time) that I think it'd get annoying, because you're essentially taking a place that someone who actually is able to write and wants to write could have had.

Complainers: Uh...yeah. I don't know. I mean, it's kind of uncomfortable if someone writes for you and you don't like it, but to complain to the mod about it? Seems a little...odd. If it were me, I'd just reply and say that that's what was written and invite them to start their own exchange if they feel that strongly about it. Because these things are damned hard to run successfully, and I'd hate to run something huge like

merry_smutmas because of the sheer number of participants. I ain't about to complain, fercrissake.

3.) What are your thoughts on pinch-hitting? (Writing a last minute emergency fic)

This is how I do half of my challenges. So...it gets the creativity going on full speed? Not sure it produces necessarily better writing, but that's more people-dependent, if you ask me.

4.) And lastly, what has been your favorite fic exchange and why?

Haven't done one successfully yet. Was supposed to do a drabble exchange thing at

quadrashag back in March but then I ended up in the hospital and that sort of...didn't happen. I wasn't able to give notice, either. So I guess I suck.

But at least I won't whine about it. So...er...good times?

Yes.

Ah, I lied in my poll actually. I did run an exchange at

lancre. I wrote on time, and I think it went relatively well. I was a bad mod, though, as I believe one person didn't receive an assignment. :-/

1) Usually slightly unsatisfied. My first few were panicked efforts close to the deadline, and they weren't very good. Later on, I've written stuff that I'm more satisfied with, but have worried about whether it really meets the request.
2) Handling drop-outs by having pinch-hitters seems good. I've no idea about complainers, since I've never been one.
3) It's a good idea. I'm in theory up for doing that sort of thing, though most deadlines have come when I've been too busy for a fast turn-around.
4) Snarry Detention ficathon. It was the first when I did a decent job.

Are you generally satisfied or unsatisfied with the fics you submit? Explain.

Generally I've been satisfied with what I submitted. Especially my entries in

hpvalensmut and the "In Like a Lion"-ficathon at

pervy_werewolf.

How do you think the drop-outs (last minute or otherwise) and the complainers (those who are unsatisfied with their assignments and bitch to the hostess) should be handled?

If you don't have a very good reason to drop out, you should be ashamed of yourself, and not sign up next year. If you're not satisfied with what you receive, you should keep that to yourself. (And perhaps not sign up the next time.)

What are your thoughts on pinch-hitting? (Writing a last minute emergency fic)

I've never done that, but I volunteered to do so for

merry_smutmas this year. I think they're doing a great job. :)

And lastly, what has been your favorite fic exchange and why? I don't know, I've liked all those I've participated in. :)

And you forgot one thing when making this poll: In the last question you could have included the fanartists...
I've only written one fic for a ficathon, I drew for all the others...:)

1. Generally satisfied. Although I've just looked back and found that for some bizarre reason, they've all been het, which I wouldn't choose to write if it wasn't requested. The

hp_springsmut fic is probably one of my all time favourites now, although it caused me huge angst at the time.

2. I agree with ,lj user=bethbethbeth> above, when she says that she joins for the opportunity to write, not so much to receive. It's lovely to get a fic written for you, but I wouldn't be completely devastated if I didn't. So I suppose the answer is (a) forgive readily because I don't know the reason behind the drop-out, and (b) not have much patience with complainers because if they didn't want to be flexible, they shouldn't have signed up for an exchange.

3. Pinchhitters are great. Also, I think some people thrive on pressure and produce really great stuff at short notice, so in a way, even better work comes out of it.

4.

hp_springsmut, I loved all the fics and I loved writing for it. And I love

starrysummer. Love all around :-) I'm really looking forward to

harry_holidays now too, because I have the best assignment. And it's not het ;-)

1. I was satisfied with the fics I wrote. I actually thought that they were some of my best work.

2. Drop outs should, unless for a very good reason, be not allowed to participate in future events. For complainers, if their problem is legitimate, meaning their fic was god awful, then an attempt to get a back up writer should be made, if it was just a matter of taste, tell em to deal.

3. I have pinch hit before. I wrote two pinch hit stories for HPVamp, which I was not a part of the original drive, and one pinch hit for

nimori's Half Baked Patchwork Fic. I think that it is a necessarry and sometimes thankless job, but the mods are very sweet about it. I didn't receive anything for my troubles, nor did I think that I should have, it was doing something for someone whom deserved a fic since they had done so themselves.

4. I don't have a favourite fic exchange. I like them all.

There were no ticky boxes for "OMG! I just signed up for my first fic exchange!

merry_smutmas rox! Ticky!!!!" I'm very disappointed. *dramatic sigh*

Actually, it should be a box for "OMG! I just signed up for my first fic exchange!! - Please to be taking me to hospital because I'm going to die!!!"

Well, okay, it's not that bad either. I'm a teeny bit nervous, but I remember reading the fics from last year - it was when I first joined LJ fandom, and it looked like so much fun! And my two cents on pinch hitters: They are awesome to step in like that and they deserve extra love for it!

I can really only comment on the one fic exchange I finished, as Harry Holidays has only just given out assignments.

And, I suppose the

hp_rareficathon might not even be considered a fic exchange, except that's how it was run.

I also don't know what you consider 'way early'.

Still, it might just be the qualities of that exchange, but I only got one comment on my story. Granted, it was from the recipient and she liked it, so that's all that matters in the end. Whoever was writing for me never posted.

So, question 1. I was satisfied with the story I submitted, despite the griping I did while writing it. The recipient liked it, which--as far as I'm concerned--is the whole point. Since she did, then I'm satisfied as well. I did the best I could to give her something she'd enjoy.

2. Drop-outs would vary, although last minute drop-outs would annoy me. I can see why mods might choose to not allow those people back in again (or at least make them miss one). That is, unless they have a valid RL reason. Unexpected illness/family problems crop up. Writer's block also happens, but you should let the mod know as soon as possible if you think it's going to keep you from finishing on time/at all.

I suppose there will be people unhappy with their assignments, but you are given choices, and you did volunteer to write something under as yet unknown parameters. I can't imagine there's anything I couldn't come up with 1000 words on. (After doing proper research.)

3. I've never had to pinch-hit, so I can't comment. As a writer, I'm happy to know there are people there if I have to wimp out. (I'd rather be late than wimp out, though.)

4. So far, I'm liking the way Harry Holidays is being run more than the rare pairs one. While

underlucius has never modded an exchange before (and there have already been some mistakes), she seems more on top of things than the other mod. I don't know who that was. Then again, maybe it's just because I've done this once before and am paying more attention this time.

Yes, definitely planning on doing it again.

My current brilliant awful idea is to allow genfic as well as rarepairs, but I'm a bit worried as far as logistical nightmare. (not that there doens't mean there won't be lots of smut)

I think it varies by author. I know I mostly sign up for the writing, but that's just me and I'm pretty bad when it comes to keeping up with the fic I want to read. I think with others, it varies. Thoguh I can't imagine signing up without being interesting in producing the giftfic or art.

♥

I really really want to participate in an exchange; I love the idea of having fic (and smutty fic, at that) written just for me. However, there's no way I could just be assigned something and be inspired enough to write it. I really can't write on demand, and it's anybody's guess as to which pairing/theme will interest me at any moment. And I'd hate to disappoint someone by signing up and then not following through.

Challenges, though, where you can claim a prompt rather than having it assigned to you, are more my speed.

--Garland

Also, I so misread question 2. I think you take a risk signing up for a fest, and if you aren't willing to budge on what you will and won't write, you shouldn't sign up in the first place. I say I won't write Weasleys, or Neville, or Peter, but I could if I were asked. It goes along with being part of the game, and people need to suck it up.

this is quicker than using webmail.

I'm shattered. pixel's dissapearance/probably death has knocked me sideways, and i got too drunk last night, so I'm off to bed.

Hope the beta job was ok - look forward to commenting on the fic. Very novel concept.

xxx

1.) Are you generally satisfied or unsatisfied with the fics you submit? Explain.

Satisfied. Very, very satisfied. Of course, I tend to really like everything I write. I even like the many pinch-hit, last minute stories I've written.

2.) How do you think the drop-outs (last minute or otherwise) and the complainers (those who are unsatisfied with their assignments and bitch to the hostess) should be handled?

Make their names public and ban 'em, baby.

I've run the multifandom Remix for three years now, and I also ran the Remus Remix and the Ocean's 11 ficathon, and people who bail without notifying the mod ahead of time, or people who just disappear and don't answer the email? And people who bail after the deadline and they've been given an extension? Should never be allowed to participate again. And should be mocked publicly, because that's like participating in a gift exchange in real life and walking away with your gift and not putting anything into the grab bag. It's rude and ought not be tolerated.

Complainers... I think it depends. I've been the whingy participant once, even though I hated doing it, but I just couldn't write the thing I was assigned. It was the one thing I hadn't ever thought to specify in my sign up, you know? It's why I very rarely sign up for ficathons I don't run, or where I can't choose the challenge. On the other hand, I have no patience for people who specify they'll write "anything" and then come back and say they'll only write X or Y and that's not what they were assigned.

3.) What are your thoughts on pinch-hitting? (Writing a last minute emergency fic)

I am an excellent pinch hitter, as long as the fandom and pairing is something I'm interested in. I also think pinch hitters are angels of fandom who don't get enough credit, because most of the time, they don't get stories written for them, and yet they're capable of turning around good stories in very short time periods for other people.

4.) And lastly, what has been your favorite fic exchange and why?

takethehouse was a blast, and it nearly doubled the amount of fanfic in Ocean's 11 fandom, and I adore

yuletide and

shackinup_sesa, and the Fantasy Fests (both pornish_pixies and erotic_elves) are fun, but my heart belongs to We Invented the Remix...Redux (http://remix.illuminatedtext.com/), beacuse it's my ~~monster~~ baby.

(seeing as I was a wee bit worried about whether or not she'd be "eh" about it and kinda just say she liked it anyway).

That's definitely a reasonable fear.

1.) I'm generally unsatisfied with pretty much everything I write

You have nothing to worry about.

However if writers just are randomly stuck w. somethng that may not inspire them, and cant give it thought, then id rather see the fic given to someone inspired to do it with an extention, getting quality later than something shoddily done on time.

I actually wouldn't mind waiting a bit longer provided I knew I was getting something for sure. But then I don't think any mod worth her salt would let anyone go without. No mod has before that I can remember.

But, really. It's a gift for someone else. Suck it up.

Amen, sistah!

I don't know if you knew this, but I did your

hp_springsmut as a pinch-hit. Shortly thereafter, I friended you :-)

I think Gina would excuse your getting hit by a car, dear. *G*

I'm a slow writer too. Don't feel bad :-)

The dog ate my fic. *snorts* I wonder if anyone has ever used that excuse before?

The recipient dropped off the face of the planet, apparently, so I never got to find out, to my disappointment, how s/he felt about it.

Oh, I hate that!

I have pinch-hit for

merry_smutmas and for

sga_remix, and I have to say, I enjoyed writing those stories so much because I was incredibly inspired. Maybe I just lucked out.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 2 of 5

Fandom Poll and Discussion: The Fundamental Fanfiction Exchange Thread

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject