Poll: Questions about mini_fest 2010

[brissygirl.livejournal.com]

[Poll #1506993]

Comments

[aigooism.livejournal.com]

I didn't participate, but I watched it and was pleased by its the mods work and everything. :)

[brissygirl.livejournal.com]

Thanks for voting and your feedback. Much appreciated.

[aigooism.livejournal.com]

No prob. I think I'll particpate whenever you have it again. It looked really fun and hassle-free.

[whitestar.livejournal.com]

I loved that you gave us a longer deadline and that the minimum number of words was not huge. I also love the idea that if a person couldn't get their story or art done in time, they weren't crucified for it. I saw one fest community that said the people who didn't get their stories/art done could no longer participate in the future fests. I'm like "What?" Participation is supposed to be fun and easy going. Sooner or later if they ban people just because they couldn't finish their submissions, then they'll run out of people since the HP fandom will get smaller over time. That's why I loved how you ran the Mini Fest. It was much more open and easy going ^_^ You have the right idea :D

[brissygirl.livejournal.com]

In answer to your response about "what is original"? I mean you think of your own ideas and characters and write something that is uniquely you.

I agree with you about the list of shame and I DON'T agree with creating one. Especially since it was a December fest and anyone who lives in the real world knows that the December holiday season is crazy busy for everyone.

Thanks for voting, participating and your feedback! *hugs*

[whitestar.livejournal.com]

On the original story, I probably wouldn't do that. I prefer writing about HP characters and maybe throwing in an OC once in a while :)

[brissygirl.livejournal.com]

Fair enough, I just know a couple of my flisters who write original stuff so I thought I would ask and see what the reaction was. :D

[aigooism.livejournal.com]

Of course I think if somebody did repeat it twice, then I think that's when it would be a bit problematic. I've been in the fandom long enough to respect the mod's wishes on not letting drop outs participate, but I think one chance is all right, and if they break it, then tough XD

[brissygirl.livejournal.com]

We had people put their names down who didn't end up participating. We also had someone send their entry 2 days before the fest was due to finish. However I agree there is a limit to the amount of chances someone gets when participating in fests, however making a public post about who didn't communicate with the mods about what was happening is pretty harsh.

I also didn't want to be breathing down people's necks asking why they hadn't gotten in touch with one of us mods. I have better things to do, as I'm sure everyone else does as well.

[aigooism.livejournal.com]

*nodnod* Makes sense. :)

[literaryspell.livejournal.com]

Hey! I thought you guys all did a brilliant job. I was really impressed! It was a HUGE undertaking, I'm sure. That said, I think once a year, twice at the most, would be enough. I also think that December maybe wasn't the greatest time--this was my first year in fandom and I hadn't realised how much actually happens in December. I wanted to read everything but got bogged down. Next year I plan on writing an advent fic, so I won't have as much time. I'll still submit something--something short, promise.

For fandoms, I say definitely leave it HP. Too many would be SO confusing and people would just skip the ones they don't read/write. In that case, I would suggest just making another comm for different fandoms.

As for original fic, I wouldn't write something orig for a fest. I can't really explain why--maybe I'd just rather write HP like everyone else? I don't think people would read it, to be honest.

Anyway, hope that helps a little! I have no recommendations because I thought it was brilliantly run. I loved all the prompts, the way posting was handled, the word count, the lack of stress, everything. :D

[brissygirl.livejournal.com]

Thank hon! It was my first year in fandom too and my head is still spinning from the amount of fics that were posted in the second half of the year.

If it was run more than once it wouldn't be more than twice in a year. It seems most people want it around June/July which as far as I know isn't especially busy with fests.

I can totally understand the wanting to keep the original stuff just that, and not have to worry about complying with rules and themes etc.

What will be short 5K? LOL

[literaryspell.livejournal.com]

I definitely think June/July would be good! Like you said, it didn't seem too busy at that time.

5K? Yeah, I could probably do that. I know I can write drabbles because I have before and still do. I think it's trying to keep things around 2-4k that gets tricky. I fall in love with the story and write too much. This year, I'd rather write three or four 500 word pieces than one huge one!

[red-day-dawning.livejournal.com]

In regard to the "include original art/writing" section, I'm not oppsed per se, it's just hat i don't think it would be workable in a prompt-driven fest. But perhaps I'm not thinking about clearly/laerally enough?
Cheers.

[brissygirl.livejournal.com]

What I was thinking with the original stuff, was people could write/draw something based on a theme.
e.g Christmas/Winter/Yule/Solstice whatever
Or perhaps keeping things in the fantasy realm make it mythical/magical creatures etc. Something like that.

Did any of that make sense?

[red-day-dawning.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that makes sense.
Although I'm still not sure if it would work in the same fest as fan-based stuff. Fan-based stuff has the readership of those interested in the pairings or characters etc - I'm not sure if the original work would get the attention it deserves.
Still, it's worth thinking about...

Congratulations on such a successful fest!

Btw, are you following any h/d? I read this story that had been recc'd - The Pocketwatch Chronicles (http://community.livejournal.com/hd_holidays/159108.html) and enjoyed it greatly.

[brissygirl.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen the pocketwatch chronicles, but I've been trying to catch up with the H/d shippers on my flist and their advent drabbles. enchanted_jae and leo_draconis have a few good H/D advent fics so did oldenuf2nb some of the prompts for advent drabbles were hilarious, especially the snow cock.

[remuslives23.livejournal.com]

No to original works. The beauty of using JKR's characters is that we know them already - their personalities, their attitudes, likes and dislikes, etc. OC's are going to need lengthy characterisations that would make fics far too long for a mini fest. :)

I think each fandom needs seperate fests. *looks at treacle* TW mini fest? Am I too new/too lazy to do something like that? *ponders*

[brissygirl.livejournal.com]

That seems to be the general consensis about original work.

You realise that as soon as she sees that idea for a TW mini fest she will jump on it and start hounding you to make it happen. LOL

[fancypantsdylan.livejournal.com]

I loved participating in this fest.

I would prefer prompts because sometimes it's hard to think of something original if you're put on the spot. I know I get like that :D

Oh and the best bit was the stories didn't have to be very long, starting off at 500 words was really nice for me, as I hadn't written that many long stories before.

I think keeping it as it is, perhaps once during the year and once at Christmas, with prompts and the same amount of word start would be excellent.

Thank you so much for arranging this *hugs*

[brissygirl.livejournal.com]

Everything would pretty much be the same, word count wise etc. I know when I write fic's I very rarely write a full one-shot they are more like ficlets. It also puts less pressure on people, requiring only short entries.

It wouldn't appear more than twice once around Christmas again and once around June/July if the poll is anything to go by. Otherwise people would get sick of it and wouldn't participate.

I'm so glad you had fun, I did too even tho I was stressing about my computer and such. *squishes and smooches*

[in-praesenti.livejournal.com]

I really liked how relaxed it all was, no pressure - and heaps of fun!

I answered 'will comment' in regards of question number 3. 'Cause I'm okay with any time during which there aren't many fests - not quite sure when that is, though... (mid-year sounds great, but would you make it a themed [instead of seasonal] thing then?) And I agree with the comments above, twice a year should be the max, I think.

I don't really think original fic/art is a very good idea, especially since this fest encourages short stories. I think it's rather hard to create something original when it's not at least 10k. Not that I'm experienced, or anything, but I don't think that I'd even be much interested in reading something that's just a little snippet of the life of some previously unknown character. And hey, don't we all love our HP characters :D

If you decide to foray into other fandoms, Merlin would indeed be a good choice. Fests are not quite as common still in that fandom (to my knowledge, at least).

Well, it was awesome - I hope we'll be experiencing another Mini Fest sometime this year :D

[brissygirl.livejournal.com]

I can definitely say that mini_fest will be back in 2010, it's just a matter of when.

Do we keep it as a December fest or move it to a less busy time of year? It will still be prompt based and anonymous, but almost everything else is up for discussion.

It looks like the original fiction/art idea isn't going to go ahead.

Thank you for participating, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself!

[asnowyowl.livejournal.com]

I think once a year for any fest is probably enough, just because there are so many fests out there. You might consider, however, moving the timing of the fest so it doesn't coincide with the multitude of holiday time fests that are already out there.

I'm not sure what time of the year would work best for you/the fest, but I did find through running sceasleycest comm that during the summer months (northern hemisphere summer: July and August) submissions dropped down to almost nothing - so I would avoid those months.

As far as original fic goes, I doubt it would get many readers as people are at mini fest for HP/

[brissygirl.livejournal.com]

The general consensis so far is to either keep it in December or move it to around June/July.

You've been in fandom longer than I have. What fests are run when? The second half of the year seems to be the busiest, what do you think? And when is snarry_ldws running again?

[keppiehed.livejournal.com]

Personally, I liked the time of year. I know it was busy, but I got my piece in, so I just got to sit back and read all the holiday themed stuff, which seemed to make the season better! All that Christmas stuff just added to my holiday cheer!
I am seeing that no one seems to want to shoehorn a LoTR section in here for next year. Bummer. The LoTR fandom is much lazier when it comes to fests, and much less fun-minded. I was hoping I could just cozy up to the HP fans here. LOL Can't blame a gal for trying...
Anyway, thanks for a great time. I liked the multitude of varied prompts. I certainly hogged my share for my story.

[brissygirl.livejournal.com]

There's no reason why you can't organise a LOTR fest. that's how mini_fest came to be. I saw that all the holiday fests were exchanges and some of my flist had struggled with other fests throughout the year and figured a low key, low stress fest would be the way to go.

I'm glad you had a great time, hope to see you back again next time! Not sure if we are sticking with December, but it will definitely be back at some point during 2010.

[keppiehed.livejournal.com]

You can count on seeing me here next year, whenever it might be. As for starting my own fest...OMG! I am lucky I can send an e-mail! LOL! I am the worst computer person you've ever met. It's all very sad. I am the lowest tech person you know, guaranteed. Any fest of mine would be a high stress nightmare of people not knowing what was happening. But yours was organized very well, and you were wonderful with being available for some of the sillier questions. *ahem* Anyway, I look forward to whatever you come up with, just let me know when you decide to have the next one!

[brissygirl.livejournal.com]

Anything new regarding mini_fest is posted here and on my journal. So I'm sure you will see when an announcement is made. :)

[aeryun247.livejournal.com]

I love the concept. No worries on letting anyone but yourself down if you couldn't submit story/art is perfect for someone like me. I have a hard enough time writing what I want, much less what someone else would. Thank you sdo much for the wonderful fest, I hope you do it again! :D *hugs*

[brissygirl.livejournal.com]

We will be back in 2010, it's just a matter of when. Whether we stick with December or if we move it to a less busy time of year.

I'm glad you had fun, and hope to see you again next time.

BTW philo should be updated by the end of Jan. :)

[amorettea.livejournal.com]

I liked that it was small and low key. No big pressure. I actually wrote a few words for the first time in ages. Those specific fests with gifts just scare the bejesus out of me. I'm for sticking with HP, keeping it casual and whenever. This December was horrible for me but any time of the year might be the same.

[brissygirl.livejournal.com]

Exchanges are good in theory, but they scare the crap out of me too. You've always got the fear of disapointing your recipient or not being able to finish and the mods needing a pinch hitter. The general consensis about mini_fest so far is that it should either remain as a december fest or move to June/July.

I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, and I hope to see you participating again next time.

[rebism.livejournal.com]

On the fandoms thing - as long as there's at least one of HP, Farscape or SVU, I'm happy with anything.

On the "Would you like to be able to write/draw something original?" - I selected the last option because my answer is "yes", however the only yes option was "Yes, I write/create original fiction/art all the time", which I don't!

[brissygirl.livejournal.com]

It looks like most people want mini_fest to remain HP only, but that doesn't rule out including other fandoms at a later date.

You, myself and Leochi seem to be the only ones interested in original stuff. So that will have to stay on the back burner for now I think.

[aliasfanatic04.livejournal.com]

First off, I loved the low keyness of the fest. I was happy that you guys were understanding about my needing a bit extra time to submit my fic. I love the fest being held in December, but I wouldnt mind a second one in May or hell even April. Original stuff, not really my cup of tea. The thing that appealed to me the most about this fest was the ease of it all and that it was in December. Made me feel like I contributed to the holidays. =)

[brissygirl.livejournal.com]

You told us you needed extra time and I was only too happy to give it. Communication is key for fests after all. :)

At this stage it looks like round two might be in June/July, can't do April because accioslash will be running the snape_potter snarry_a_thon and it's a bit soon after such a busy holiday season to expect people to sign up again straight away.

I'm glad you had fun, and I hope we see you in a few months for round two!

[rebism.livejournal.com]

Things I liked about the fest:

1. It was low pressure. 500 words is manageable; not writing for someone else reduces the pressure to write The Best Thing Ever OMG; there was a general atmosphere of "it's just for fun! Have a ball, guys!".

2. The low pressure means that people like me who don't write much, or well, or to a deadline, or haven't written recently, can get back into writing in something fun, with the support of fellow writers, without any pressure.

I've not participated in ficathon fest things before because they seem scary. This, on the other hand, seemed fun and manageable, and it was.

[bk03.livejournal.com]

I think the timing was prefect. You gave us three months to write it and there's was only a 500 minimum word count. I think it's nice having a low pressure feast around what's probably the busiest time of the year.

If you were to hold more rounds, I have two ideas depending on what you wanted to do. If it's going to be twice a year, I think signups in the spring with the fics posted in the summer would be nice. If more than that, I'd suggest mixing up the type of things you do to give it a bit of variety. Like keep the prompts for Christmas, and then do something like a wish list or traditional fic exchange.

Regardless, I'm looking forward to mini_fest 2010.