I'm working on notes for my year-end reports as well as for my 2012 plans and goals. I'd like to invite other folks to share theirs too
( Read more... )
I contributed to a few projects, though more frequently with prompts (and links) than money.
And I experimented with two projects.
Flash Fiction Fishbowl I consider this a success so far, and would like to keep it going.
I'd really like to offer more tip or link incentives, but I'm running into problems coming up with ones... trying to crib from other people I see ones relying on having ongoing series (having to worry about continuity makes writing much more difficult), and promising to write more words, or stories to all of someone's prompts, makes me worry if I can actually do that.
Small ArtThe second round was... no improvement from the first. I did not advertise it as widely as I had planned, and then I dropped the ball on getting images done as fast as I'd promised. Well, still got some nice art done, eventually
( ... )
>>I contributed to a few projects, though more frequently with prompts (and links) than money. <<
Everything is helpful.
>>Flash Fiction Fishbowl I consider this a success so far, and would like to keep it going.<<
I liked this.
>>I'd really like to offer more tip or link incentives, but I'm running into problems coming up with ones... trying to crib from other people I see ones relying on having ongoing series (having to worry about continuity makes writing much more difficult), and promising to write more words, or stories to all of someone's prompts, makes me worry if I can actually do that. ... )
Re: Thoughts on Flash Fiction FishbowlankewehnerJanuary 2 2012, 10:45:20 UTC
With the Flash Fiction I'll be trying to write some loosely connected ones in future, and see how it goes.
One perk I could offer that not all authors can would be adding an illustration to a story, or doing an illustration based on one of the other prompts, but I'd rather try that out without having promised it up front.
Postcards... If I already have a drabble or other very short piece that would fit the theme, I could make up genuine postcard fic to mail to donators. Or rely on writing one during the call.
I've also been experimenting with zine/chapbook making, but I want to test how much work it is first. (I'm definitely going to use staggered tip thresholds for a resulting ebook - a relatively low one for a basic version with a text-only cover, a higher tip total gets a cover illustration added, maybe a third to add small inside illustrations/divider graphics. Another thing I need to figure out how much work it is first.)
>>On the other hand it limits how much detail I can put in and get the image done in a reasonable time (considering that it doesn't pay much, and since it's mostly character- or pet portraits, I don't really expect interest from people other than the one who requested an image, RE buying originals the requesters did not want, or buying prints, to be a bit mercenary.)<<
You might be surprised what people will like. I've sold poems that I thought were really personal -- to someone other than the original prompter. Then too, consider that you may pick up character portraits that already have an audience attached. I tend to spread out my requests across my series, but sooner or later I'm likely to ask for a portrait of one of my more popular characters, and then prints might be worthwhile. I'm not the only person running multiple series; you could well pick up someone else who is.
Notice that you're not in direct competition with anyone else. djinni is mostly doing icons. meeksp is doing whole scenes. You've staked out a small but not tiny
( ... )
Re: ThoughtsankewehnerJanuary 2 2012, 10:53:49 UTC
I'll be experimenting with how to add larger format things to the call, yep, thanks for the additional ideas.
I'm using a spreadsheet with name (and link to their request), amount donated and people referred. If I get more practise, I might add linkbacks, too, but I'm leaving that out for now. I'm also counting referrals as an extra tip since that is easier than coming up and keeping track of a separate kind of perk.
I'm trying a few things for the "not wanting to get overwhelmed" bit: staggering plugs over a few days (so I can start on the first requests before the last come in, rather than having all of them up front), or this time not promising art by a date.
Thanks a lot for your suggestions and encouragement!
And I experimented with two projects.
Flash Fiction Fishbowl
I consider this a success so far, and would like to keep it going.
I'd really like to offer more tip or link incentives, but I'm running into problems coming up with ones... trying to crib from other people I see ones relying on having ongoing series (having to worry about continuity makes writing much more difficult), and promising to write more words, or stories to all of someone's prompts, makes me worry if I can actually do that.
Small ArtThe second round was... no improvement from the first. I did not advertise it as widely as I had planned, and then I dropped the ball on getting images done as fast as I'd promised. Well, still got some nice art done, eventually ( ... )
Reply
Everything is helpful.
>>Flash Fiction Fishbowl
I consider this a success so far, and would like to keep it going.<<
I liked this.
>>I'd really like to offer more tip or link incentives, but I'm running into problems coming up with ones... trying to crib from other people I see ones relying on having ongoing series (having to worry about continuity makes writing much more difficult), and promising to write more words, or stories to all of someone's prompts, makes me worry if I can actually do that.
Reply
One perk I could offer that not all authors can would be adding an illustration to a story, or doing an illustration based on one of the other prompts, but I'd rather try that out without having promised it up front.
Postcards... If I already have a drabble or other very short piece that would fit the theme, I could make up genuine postcard fic to mail to donators. Or rely on writing one during the call.
I've also been experimenting with zine/chapbook making, but I want to test how much work it is first.
(I'm definitely going to use staggered tip thresholds for a resulting ebook - a relatively low one for a basic version with a text-only cover, a higher tip total gets a cover illustration added, maybe a third to add small inside illustrations/divider graphics. Another thing I need to figure out how much work it is first.)
Reply
>>On the other hand it limits how much detail I can put in and get the image done in a reasonable time (considering that it doesn't pay much, and since it's mostly character- or pet portraits, I don't really expect interest from people other than the one who requested an image, RE buying originals the requesters did not want, or buying prints, to be a bit mercenary.)<<
You might be surprised what people will like. I've sold poems that I thought were really personal -- to someone other than the original prompter. Then too, consider that you may pick up character portraits that already have an audience attached. I tend to spread out my requests across my series, but sooner or later I'm likely to ask for a portrait of one of my more popular characters, and then prints might be worthwhile. I'm not the only person running multiple series; you could well pick up someone else who is.
Notice that you're not in direct competition with anyone else. djinni is mostly doing icons. meeksp is doing whole scenes. You've staked out a small but not tiny ( ... )
Reply
I'm using a spreadsheet with name (and link to their request), amount donated and people referred. If I get more practise, I might add linkbacks, too, but I'm leaving that out for now.
I'm also counting referrals as an extra tip since that is easier than coming up and keeping track of a separate kind of perk.
I'm trying a few things for the "not wanting to get overwhelmed" bit: staggering plugs over a few days (so I can start on the first requests before the last come in, rather than having all of them up front), or this time not promising art by a date.
Thanks a lot for your suggestions and encouragement!
Reply
Reply
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