Fandom Poll and Discussion: The Fundamental Fanfiction Exchange Thread

[themostepotente]

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

Comments

[ponderosa121.livejournal.com]

1.) I'm generally satisfied, yes. I do usually have a bit of anxiety until my recipient reads their fic, but I think that's normal. Art-wise I have less anxiety, as I tend have a better idea of what a person likes and, provided that they like my style, it's harder to go wrong (no characterisation issues or worrying if they'll like x, y, or z, kink tossed in).

2.) There should be flogging and a dozen stripes across the backside! We shall not speak about the fact that I have managed to miss two deadlines in the past year, but thankfully those were fests and not exchanges. Drop-outs need to not sign up in the first place, or let the mod know the instant they think they might not be able to fulfill their obligation. If they leave it to the last minute, they suck, and all the variations on the dog ate my fic just comes off as lame.

Bad assignments if they are the mod's fault? Shame on the mod. Bad assignments because the participant didn't offer enough info to be matched up properly? See above with regards to flogging.

3.) I've done it more than once, and I've never felt annoyed or anything having to do it. Sure there is some sense of what happened to the person who was assigned the request in the first place? but overall, I just have the yay of writing for someone. (which is the best part of being in an exchange imo, getting fic or art is fun, but making someone else happy is even more rewarding.)

4.) Smutmas is my favourite since I look forward to so much of what gets produced. It's like a little present on my flist every day and it's extra exciting since it's blind. I have fond memories of all the exchanges I've participated in though, whether it's because I wrote something I really liked and pleased my recipient or because I received something fabulous that made me starry-eyed.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

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

[catrinella.livejournal.com]

My dog actually ate a fic once. She was going through a paper phase. She also ate my checkbook - I think I minded the fic more.