Thinking about fest fics

[valis2]

I'm all caught up with the fest fics, which makes me happy beyond belief. I have only one left open. There seem to be a LOT of really long fics this year, and I really am noticing some similar themes with fest fics this time (er, that I actually noticed this time, I should say). First, a lot seem to have a lot of exposition at the beginning, and sometimes it's done smoothly and sometimes...not so smoothly. Also, there seem to be some fics where a red pen might have come in handy; I wonder if people think they have to get to a certain wordcount. I've seen a few fics that could have used a bit of cutting. And fics hosted elsewhere seem to swallow hyphens and other important characters.

I think it's the nature of the beast, though. When you have another's plot to follow, or prompt, when you actually have a single identifiable reader who is the "recipient," I think it causes a bit more stress. Not only do you have a responsibility to try to make it up to their standards, but you're hobbled by certain requirements of pairing/plot/theme, and it's a rather different experience...at least it is for me. It can be freeing to write like this as well, but honestly, it is more difficult than something which naturally engages you.

Part of the problem is the "set-up" you've been asked to write. You have to get to a certain place first before you can start the brunt of the writing (usually, at least). If they've asked for "post-war, SS/HG, Hermione=Minister of Magic, Severus feeling very inadequate, happy ending"...well, then, you have to first provide the background for the reader. I kind of wish that more fest fic writers would include the prompt, if it is this specific; it would lighten their load, I think. Fest fic readers are pretty adept at knowing the groundwork; after all, that's the thing about fanfic, it's all there beforehand...we don't have to set the stage as intensively as someone writing an original fic. Anyway, getting through the setup can be a daunting task, and it's hard to make the exposition flow well in the beginning, and not have it sound like an expanded laundry list. "Minister of Magic is Hermione...check. Severus has outburst where he says he's inadequate...check. Post-war...check. etc."

Another odd thing I've seen once or twice is the "I tried writing your prompt, but this is what happened instead" note, which always frightens me a little when I see it. I don't know about you, but I saw some very detailed prompts, prompts that some recipients worked on very diligently in order to receive a fic that is in line with their tastes. Theoretically, the exchanges operate on getting everyone to write someone else's laundry list of likes and dislikes, allowing everyone to receive a fic that (in theory) they'll adore. If you take "Snape/Filch, uses for boomslang skin, unrequited love, mirror of Erised, angst" and turn it into "Snape/Filch/Dobby, broom closet, fruitcake, comedy," then even though you've written something for someone else (which is a wonderful act in itself, absolutely), the intent of the fest has been subverted, and there is a greater chance that the recipient will be sad. When you've moved genres from dark, intense angst to light, fluffy comedy, chances are it won't satisfy the recipient as much as the original tone would have.

Now, I'm not saying that the prompts are completely ironclad blueprints. A lot of people wiggle within the prompts and come up with better, amazing fics, and even big changes are sometimes a good thing. I'm just saying that I always feel a little sad when I see that, because I wonder how the recipient felt. Behind the prompt there is probably a fantasy, or a scenario, which the recipient adores. Seeing the longing, aching looks Filch gives Snape when he spies on him morphed into Dobby juggling fruitcakes and then doing a burlesque for Filch and Snape is such a big change, and I can't imagine the recipient being entirely happy with it.

I've seen a couple amazing fics this year so far, and I'm really grateful for all the hard work everyone puts into it. But it is also interesting to see how fics emerge from this challenge with certain things in common, and how some fics overcome those problems anyway.

bronze_ribbons has an absolutely terrific primer on fest etiquette that is packed with common sense and gracious courtesy, unlike the preceding judgmental, snobby babblings I've subjected you to here. ha!

ETA: Hello to newsletter people! *waves* This is mostly just babblings, honestly, and please understand that it was just meant as a quick rant...I love fests, and these were just some observations I've made this year so far.

Comments

[corvus-coronis.livejournal.com]

I've found it useful when writing a fic (or doing art) to have the full prompt plus kink & squick list in the notes until ready to post, so all I have to do is scroll to the top of the page to make sure I'm on track. Or else have it on a notepad file if it's art.

I think I've only been really dissapointed once so far with a prompt I've given, I seem to be lucky enough with them to either get a good writer/artist claim it, or else no one touches it. The one time I was dissapointed was with an anonymous prompt (I set up a h/c scenario, and the fic was a noncon), but then I should have been more specific about the mood I wanted.

I still really like the prompt, so I'm probably going to repost it elsewhere with some small changes & another pairing.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I've found it useful when writing a fic (or doing art) to have the full prompt plus kink & squick list in the notes until ready to post

Yeah, I C&Ped the prompt, and I really should have put the kink/squick list under it. Wise words!

The one time I was dissapointed was with an anonymous prompt (I set up a h/c scenario, and the fic was a noncon), but then I should have been more specific about the mood I wanted.

I am really starting to develop the opinion that it's a good idea to be a little extra specific in the areas you don't want to be disappointed. To the point I'm thinking of putting actual characterizations like "Dominating!Severus" in. Then again, I'd hate to be too specific, and drive people crazy trying to write it.

Once again, there's a fine line.

I'm always wondering, though, about unused prompts. I'm sure there's an etiquette about them somewhere. I wonder if you can go back after a fest and look through prompts and write fics based on them. I'm sure people wouldn't mind, as long as credit was given.

[corvus-coronis.livejournal.com]

I know that there are several groups I've left unused propmts at (under my usename, not anonymous) - I'm thinking of contacting the mods & asking them if it's ok for me to archive/advertise them elsewhere, with a link back to the appropriate group post if they require it. I mentioned in the snupin_santa signup that I was going to put my unused exchange prompts up for grabs when it was over, but I'll see what the mods have planned for them first.