Dysfunctional relationships on V-Day

[featherxquill]

So, from my last post on the subject, it certainly seems there'll be enough interest in a dysfunctional relationship ficathon to go ahead with it. A commenter did mention, though, that my idea is similar to the exchange that will be posting at hp_emofest, though probably different enough not to interfere too much.

But, question about format, since I think both of these suggestions have potential. Option A would mean longer fics and a little more tome to write. Option B might have higher participation, and would be low-pressure. Thoughts?

ETA: Some clarification for those who have asked. A prompt-based ficathon would be me setting up a community and having prompting and claiming sessions very soon, and then a few weeks to write, posted anonymously, whereas a comment ficathon would be like this one, where there is a single post that people reply to with prompts, and people who want to participate write a response to that prompt, usually short enough to fit in the comment field, and post it directly.


[Poll #1663777]

Comments

[kellychambliss.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure what the two options are, exactly. Is a "comment ficathon" one where people just write short fics in a short period and post them as comments to the original prompt? And a prompt-based one would be where participants are assigned particular people to write for?

[vane-nt.livejournal.com]

From what I understand, a comment ficathon is something like this (http://anythingbutgrey.livejournal.com/774727.html), whereas a prompt-based fest is what we've done at minerva_fest. But now that you asked it, I'm interested in reading Angie's answer too, because I want to be sure that I haven't made wrong assumptions about the fest models she has in mind. ^^UUU

[catbirdfish.livejournal.com]

I was the original commenter (I think?) and that was what I had in mind.

[featherxquill.livejournal.com]

You were, and I meant to say thanks for letting me know about the similarity with emofest and suggesting the alternative, too. I fail at replying to people, frequently.

[featherxquill.livejournal.com]

Vane is correct. I've added an edit to my original post to clear up any confusion. I really shouldn't post at 4am. I leave all sorts of things out *facepalm*

[velmaneuwirth.livejournal.com]

I'm confused over the difference between promt-based and "comment" too.

[featherxquill.livejournal.com]

Have now edited the post for clarification.

[minviendha.livejournal.com]

Is this open fandom or for HP only? >>

[featherxquill.livejournal.com]

I think so? But if it ends up being a comment ficathon I could maybe open it up to any fandom, because there's not much in the way of modding and chasing things up with one of those. So I'll see?

(btw I know you were away over christmas some, did you see the Verin fic I got for Yuletide? *g*)

[minviendha.livejournal.com]

Mmm, okay. Well then! I'll keep my eye out.

...actually, I wrote it. XD

[featherxquill.livejournal.com]

OMG. OMG. Your A03 screen name is different! I had no idea. *flail*

ILU so much.

[kellychambliss.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the clarification! Here are my thoughts:

Though I can see that a comment ficathon is less stressful, I don't like them for the following reasons:

1. I find them almost impossible to navigate once they get going. I've seen some with over 20 pages of comments (admittedly, more than we're likely to get, but you never know). Making my way through them or keeping a lot of tabs open, making bookmarks, etc., is a hassle that I usually stop bothering with pretty quickly.

2. While many of the comment stories are fun, and I've seen a few that are downright excellent, they're too short and usually quickly-written to really compel me for long. It's not that I don't like drabbles -- I do -- but ultimately, I think a comment ficathon is like a meal made of nothing but hors d'oeuvres: small, often tasty bites, but not very nourishing in the long haul. And for a theme as potentially complex and interesting as "dysfunctional relationships," I'd prefer more of a main course.

3. And a comment ficathon requires a scheduled time commitment -- they usually start and end in just a few days, at least in the ones I've seen -- that I'm not always able to meet.

But these are just my preferences, and if other people prefer the comment fest, then go with it -- whatever you like best, modly one.

[an-fhanai.livejournal.com]

Aw, no fair. Your arguments totally refute mine and now I'm compelled to agree with you.

Um. Maybe I should go re-vote.

[kellychambliss.livejournal.com]

It's always hard to decide when you can see good and bad on both sides, so I know how you feel /g/.

[catbirdfish.livejournal.com]

Hmm you may be right about the complexity of the theme.

Sorry to jump in here, but I just wanted to suggest, in response to your first point, that featherxquill could maintain a masterlist and update it throughout the ficathon.

[kellychambliss.livejournal.com]

A masterlist would be really helpful.

[cranky--crocus.livejournal.com]

I'm actually really torn and didn't vote. I'm always drawn in by the idea of a comment fest and always excited to participate, but then when it rolls around I don't have that pressure to create the time and I get overwhelmed with life and somehow seem to miss it. Plus I stink at coming up with specific prompts. I think I'll just go with whatever majority rules! :P