I'm pretty possessive of my prompts (it's one of the only chances I get to have something written "for me"), but I usually try to guide away from the unwanted by listing them as "squicks". Of course I'd like for all of the prompt ideas to be written, but I understand that's an unrealistic expectation. I think I'd only be upset with the author if they included a listed squick, or blatantly used my prompt as a jumping off point to experiment in the crazy or boundary pushing.
But no, I don't think of my prompts as just inspiration for someone else. They're mine, and I respond accordingly (meaning, I flail in the comments), even if the person who claimed the prompt doesn't think of it as a gift.
Thanks for being the one voice who I am sure says what many prompters are thinking. :) I do disagree. Or rather, for me prompts are meant for inspiration only and this is how I prompt.
When you say - it's one of the only chances I get to have something written "for me" - does that mean you are not participating in exchanges like Glompfest or any of the other exchanges?
Why should I take the time to think up "inspiration" for someone? If they're the creators, why don't they just think it up or go looking for inspiration themselves?
At the same time, no one's forcing you to participate in fests and spend time thinking up prompts. Most fest writers/artists, I'd say, also submit prompts themselves.
I'm not saying they don't. Although perhaps a writer/artist is less inclined to be as attached to a prompt in a prompt-based fest if they know they can get it written in any number of exchange fests at a later date.
♥ There is nothing entitles and/or whiny about your position.
But I also think a certain amount of respect should be shown, too. See, for me, it's not a question of respect. I do respect the prompter whose prompt inspired a story I may write. But I don't thing my respect for their inspiration means that I have to stick to their specific prompt wishes. That's what i always felt is the unspoken agreement in a prompt fest: prompts are there to inspire; and claimers have the freedom to be inspired whichever way they feel. But obviously that is changing.
Why should I take the time to think up "inspiration" for someone?Because you have ideas that you know you will never write
( ... )
I think maybe respect was the wrong word. But just to at least look at it with the understanding that the prompter might get unreasonably excited when they find their prompt has been claimed :)
Because you have ideas that you know you will never write? Because you are not writer but you have story ideas? I concur with these
( ... )
I read you comment to Writ, and it's interesting that leaving off the Squicks would make you feel less attached to the prompt. :)
Oh man, now I'm kind of loving the beta/creator exchange fest idea. I am totally thinking about it. There are a couple of new fests planned for this and next year, and this option could be included for people who are not writers/artists.
"My squicks are character death, infidelity, and Google Docs." LMAO!!!! I hate Google Docs. My absolute first beta squick.
it's interesting that leaving off the Squicks would make you feel less attached to the prompt. :)
I think it makes sense. It seems to convey a sense of ownership, even. "I give you this prompt idea to use, as long as you don't do XYZ with it."
this option could be included for people who are not writers/artists
Vaysh, this is so exciting! I was trying to think through some of the semantics myself, and at first I thought being a beta wouldn't be enough of a contribution to be considered for an exchange fest, but realized what crap that was. We're all at varying levels of ability (and effort expenditure), but we're also all putting our energy into something we love, fandom. We just have different ways of doing it.
I hate Google Docs. My absolute first beta squick.
Oh good, I'm glad I'm not the only one who hates Google Docs! :) With possibly one or two exceptions, I'm pretty much at the point that I'll refuse to beta unless I can use Track Changes in Word.
But no, I don't think of my prompts as just inspiration for someone else. They're mine, and I respond accordingly (meaning, I flail in the comments), even if the person who claimed the prompt doesn't think of it as a gift.
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When you say - it's one of the only chances I get to have something written "for me" - does that mean you are not participating in exchanges like Glompfest or any of the other exchanges?
I love your flailing, always do. :)
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At the same time, no one's forcing you to participate in fests and spend time thinking up prompts. Most fest writers/artists, I'd say, also submit prompts themselves.
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But I also think a certain amount of respect should be shown, too.
See, for me, it's not a question of respect. I do respect the prompter whose prompt inspired a story I may write. But I don't thing my respect for their inspiration means that I have to stick to their specific prompt wishes. That's what i always felt is the unspoken agreement in a prompt fest: prompts are there to inspire; and claimers have the freedom to be inspired whichever way they feel. But obviously that is changing.
Why should I take the time to think up "inspiration" for someone?Because you have ideas that you know you will never write ( ... )
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Because you have ideas that you know you will never write?
Because you are not writer but you have story ideas? I concur with these ( ... )
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Oh man, now I'm kind of loving the beta/creator exchange fest idea. I am totally thinking about it. There are a couple of new fests planned for this and next year, and this option could be included for people who are not writers/artists.
"My squicks are character death, infidelity, and Google Docs."
LMAO!!!! I hate Google Docs. My absolute first beta squick.
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I think it makes sense. It seems to convey a sense of ownership, even. "I give you this prompt idea to use, as long as you don't do XYZ with it."
this option could be included for people who are not writers/artists
Vaysh, this is so exciting! I was trying to think through some of the semantics myself, and at first I thought being a beta wouldn't be enough of a contribution to be considered for an exchange fest, but realized what crap that was. We're all at varying levels of ability (and effort expenditure), but we're also all putting our energy into something we love, fandom. We just have different ways of doing it.
I hate Google Docs. My absolute first beta squick.
Oh good, I'm glad I'm not the only one who hates Google Docs! :) With possibly one or two exceptions, I'm pretty much at the point that I'll refuse to beta unless I can use Track Changes in Word.
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