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

[coffee-n-cocoa.livejournal.com]

Here via hogwarts_today...

1. Are you generally satisfied or unsatisfied with the fics you submit? Explain. I think I'm an average writer at best, but everything I've ever submitted has been written with the recipient in mind. It's probably not the best submission to whatever exchange I've signed up for, but at least I know I gave it my best effort.

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? There are valid reasons for dropping out (accidents, illnesses, long-term emergencies and the like), but people who just quit should be sporked. Complainers? I'd never complain about anything I received. I don't think anyone's ever complained about anything I've written...I hope not, anyway! I don't know, maybe I'm still naive enough to find it inconceivable that anybody would complain about something another person put so much effort into, unless it was an obviously shoddy piece of work. I'm not making sense, so I'll move on to the next question!

3.) What are your thoughts on pinch-hitting? (writing a fic last minute emergency fic) They are the angels of fandom. I wish I could come up with last-minute plotbunnies with such apparent ease!

4.) And lastly, what has been your favorite fic exchange and why? I enjoyed smutty_claus and hp_springsmut equally. I signed up for merry_smutmas for the first time this year, and I expect it will be just as fun and nerve-wracking as the others I've participated in!

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

I don't know, maybe I'm still naive enough to find it inconceivable that anybody would complain about something another person put so much effort into, unless it was an obviously shoddy piece of work.

You'd be surprised.

[coffee-n-cocoa.livejournal.com]

I'm learning every day that nothing in this fandom surprises me anymore!