Let the games begin...
We're about ready to start posting exchange fics. Yay! :) How this usually works is that a fic gets posted every other day until we're through. Authors will get an e-mail when their fic is posted, and likewise, the recipient will get an e-mail telling them where to find their gift fic. At the end, I'll post a master list so you can see who your Mystery Author is, and there will be much rejoicing.
Before we do that, there are a few things to go over. We have quite a few new members this year including people who are also new to Livejournal, so please accept my apologies if it's a little too basic.
How to Track Comments on Your Fic
If you want to keep track of the comments on your fic, you can do this by clicking on the "Track this" link on the entry (if you're reading via your flist) or go to the individual entry itself and click on the little icon at the top that looks like a thumbtack. That will take to you the Manage Message Settings page, where you can choose how you want the notifications delivered.
Commenting Anonymously
Anonymous comments are turned on in case Mystery Authors wanted to respond to comments and reviews. (You don't have to wait until the end of the exchange unless you prefer to do so.) If you don't want to out yourself by accident, there are a few ways you can do this. The first method is simply by logging off before you comment. With the second, you can hit "reply" and when the comment space appears, you can click on "Other user" by your LJ username, and then choose "Anonymous" from the drop down menu on the left, the one with the little pencil icon. Lastly, you can always use a sockpuppet account if you have one. Just keep in mind that eventually, people will know who wrote the fic and your sockpuppet account will no longer be a secret. Choose wisely. :)
Note: Even though you're commenting anonymously, it helps to include a little identifier telling people you're the author. Likewise, if you are commenting anonymously because you don't have an LJ account, please sign some sort of name just to help us keep all the commenters straight. Thank you.
Constructive Criticism and commenting in general
The exchange is more about squee than concrit, so we ask readers to refrain from leaving concrit unless it's specifically requested by the author. The exchange brings together writers from all levels of experience and backgrounds, and all of them have worked very hard on their stories. When commenting, please err on the side of kindness. It isn't difficult to find something nice to say, even if a fic isn't your cup of tea.
While you aren't required to read or comment upon every fic, you are expected to thank your Mystery Author. I know most of you would never dream of doing otherwise, since it's the polite thing to do when someone gives you a present. But unfortunately, it does need saying. Please remember that (like you,) your Mystery Author will be waiting anxiously to see if you liked your fic and they've spent weeks if not months worrying that you'll hate it. Please put them out of their misery as soon as you can!
I think that covers it, but please feel free to ask if you have any questions. Have fun, enjoy the fanfiction, and give yourselves and your fellow authors a round of applause for making it through another Labyrinth fic exchange! :)
Before we do that, there are a few things to go over. We have quite a few new members this year including people who are also new to Livejournal, so please accept my apologies if it's a little too basic.
How to Track Comments on Your Fic
If you want to keep track of the comments on your fic, you can do this by clicking on the "Track this" link on the entry (if you're reading via your flist) or go to the individual entry itself and click on the little icon at the top that looks like a thumbtack. That will take to you the Manage Message Settings page, where you can choose how you want the notifications delivered.
Commenting Anonymously
Anonymous comments are turned on in case Mystery Authors wanted to respond to comments and reviews. (You don't have to wait until the end of the exchange unless you prefer to do so.) If you don't want to out yourself by accident, there are a few ways you can do this. The first method is simply by logging off before you comment. With the second, you can hit "reply" and when the comment space appears, you can click on "Other user" by your LJ username, and then choose "Anonymous" from the drop down menu on the left, the one with the little pencil icon. Lastly, you can always use a sockpuppet account if you have one. Just keep in mind that eventually, people will know who wrote the fic and your sockpuppet account will no longer be a secret. Choose wisely. :)
Note: Even though you're commenting anonymously, it helps to include a little identifier telling people you're the author. Likewise, if you are commenting anonymously because you don't have an LJ account, please sign some sort of name just to help us keep all the commenters straight. Thank you.
Constructive Criticism and commenting in general
The exchange is more about squee than concrit, so we ask readers to refrain from leaving concrit unless it's specifically requested by the author. The exchange brings together writers from all levels of experience and backgrounds, and all of them have worked very hard on their stories. When commenting, please err on the side of kindness. It isn't difficult to find something nice to say, even if a fic isn't your cup of tea.
While you aren't required to read or comment upon every fic, you are expected to thank your Mystery Author. I know most of you would never dream of doing otherwise, since it's the polite thing to do when someone gives you a present. But unfortunately, it does need saying. Please remember that (like you,) your Mystery Author will be waiting anxiously to see if you liked your fic and they've spent weeks if not months worrying that you'll hate it. Please put them out of their misery as soon as you can!
I think that covers it, but please feel free to ask if you have any questions. Have fun, enjoy the fanfiction, and give yourselves and your fellow authors a round of applause for making it through another Labyrinth fic exchange! :)