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

[silentauror.livejournal.com]

1.) I've only done one exchange so far (hp_dissemination), but I was pleased with the fic I wrote. 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. (S/he didn't write their fic, either, sadly.) But I would hope that I wouldn't submit a fic I wasn't satisfied with, for whatever reason.

2.) Instant death. *straight face* Possibly castration or similar.

Seriously, though? Not cool!! If you sign up for something you don't know if you can handle, then it's still your responsibility to get some balls together and handle it anyway. We get months on the assignments, usually; there's no reason to cop out. Surely if you're a writer/artist already, then you've presumably got some imagination to go with the territory. Figure it out; it's not that hard. And nobody needs a whiner. You take the risk of getting a less-than-ideal assignment when you sign up for something like this; everyone knows that.
/rant

3.) On doing the pinch-hitting? For me personally, that wouldn't really be a problem; I'm a stupidly fast writer under normal circumstances. I've volunteered to be one for that very reason.

4.) Can't comment; only done one. I'm vastly looking forward to merry_smutmas this year!

[silentauror.livejournal.com]

Pardon me, that should have been hpdissemination there, in #1.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

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!