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

[bethbethbeth.livejournal.com]

1.) Nothing has ever seemed perfect, of course, but I've been *generally* pleased with the results. For me, at least, I can't forget that I'm writing for a real, live human being, and if the recipient likes what I've done, I'm satisfied.

2.) Drop-outs - unless there's a better reason than "oh, um...I forgot" - should be kept from entering the following year, but I don't believe in public shunning or anything. *g* The whiners and complainers though? Man...if the rules gave them the opportunity to specify what they'd want and what they wouldn't want to write...and they get that, and *then* they bitch, well, I don't know what to do about them, but honestly? I think they're jerks. And people (the rare ones) who complain in public about the stories that were written for them? Get the hell over yourselves. (hmm...do I have opinions about this? *g*)

3.) I've done pinch hits twice, and both times the experience was great (I love writing under pressure). The second time was particularly cool...it was for last year's yuletide, and not only did I write in a totally new fandom with a 48 hour window of opportunity (I read the book the *night* I got the assignment), but I wrote my first femslash because I snooped around the recipient's LJ and website and realized that was what she was into.

4.) Favorite fic exchange? Probably yuletide, so far, because the whole foundation -set up to create fic for fandoms which may have only a handful of stories in existence - is so cool. But I'm *really* looking forward to merry_smutmas this year!!!

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

I'm really glad you're in this year's fest, Beth. I look forward to trying to guess which one is yours.