Ha! Yes, I'm sure I've become known for speaking up, even when I may come across as an entitled whiner :D *owns it*
I think both writers/artists and prompter can view it either way, and both sides should understand that the other may not feel the way they do. But I also think a certain amount of respect should be shown, too. 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? Hey, there's an idea...a fest mod just says, "This year's theme is The Giant Squid in Love! Posting begins in 4 weeks - see you then!" :D
I tend to see one word prompts, or short phrases, as inspiration prompts. Or like the artfest prompts, where one word answers are given for mood, time period, emotion, etc. If it's more involved than that, to me it's a little more personal.
Well, I obviously participate in Glompfest with grabby hands (♥ ♥ ♥ ♥). But it doesn't have a set schedule, and prompting is limited to every other fest. Although now that I'm a little more active in Merlin fandom, I suppose I could jump in their next Glompfest...But that really is a one-sided gift fest, and as I don't write or draw, I don't have the option of entering an exchange fest. (Unless someone comes up with an exchange fest involving betas and writers/artists. And that thought amuses me a little too much.)
I keep remembering posting about this on another journal. I think it was Fray's? Let me see if I can find it...
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? Because you are not writer but you have story ideas? Because you like to see someone take up your idea and turn into something, no matter what is it and how close it is to what you imagined? Because you like to place little plot bunnies in other's people's minds? It's never seemed a waste of time for me to think up prompts and just see what people make of it.
You know, I'd LOVE the idea to have betas participate in gift exchanges. :)
Edited because I can't phrase full sentences at 2.49am. *headdesk*
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 think maybe I'm not entirely getting my point across (or even not sure of what I mean myself). As I said to Writ, I probably wouldn't think of prompts as mine nearly as much if I didn't have the option of listing "squicks". I'm usually far more thorough listing those than I am with specific plot ideas. If my prompt suggestion is merely a springboard for something not completely whackadoo, and my squicks are avoided, then I am content. Possessive about the idea that it's my prompt, but content. If I'm really attached to a prompt idea that doesn't get written, I have no problem shopping it around until it does :)
Oh man, now I'm kind of loving the beta/creator exchange fest idea. "My squicks are character death, infidelity, and Google Docs." It would give writers and betas the chance to work with others' methods and ways of thinking and communicating.
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.
I think both writers/artists and prompter can view it either way, and both sides should understand that the other may not feel the way they do. But I also think a certain amount of respect should be shown, too. 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? Hey, there's an idea...a fest mod just says, "This year's theme is The Giant Squid in Love! Posting begins in 4 weeks - see you then!" :D
I tend to see one word prompts, or short phrases, as inspiration prompts. Or like the artfest prompts, where one word answers are given for mood, time period, emotion, etc. If it's more involved than that, to me it's a little more personal.
Well, I obviously participate in Glompfest with grabby hands (♥ ♥ ♥ ♥). But it doesn't have a set schedule, and prompting is limited to every other fest. Although now that I'm a little more active in Merlin fandom, I suppose I could jump in their next Glompfest...But that really is a one-sided gift fest, and as I don't write or draw, I don't have the option of entering an exchange fest. (Unless someone comes up with an exchange fest involving betas and writers/artists. And that thought amuses me a little too much.)
I keep remembering posting about this on another journal. I think it was Fray's? Let me see if I can find it...
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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?
Because you are not writer but you have story ideas?
Because you like to see someone take up your idea and turn into something, no matter what is it and how close it is to what you imagined?
Because you like to place little plot bunnies in other's people's minds?
It's never seemed a waste of time for me to think up prompts and just see what people make of it.
You know, I'd LOVE the idea to have betas participate in gift exchanges. :)
Edited because I can't phrase full sentences at 2.49am. *headdesk*
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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!
I think maybe I'm not entirely getting my point across (or even not sure of what I mean myself). As I said to Writ, I probably wouldn't think of prompts as mine nearly as much if I didn't have the option of listing "squicks". I'm usually far more thorough listing those than I am with specific plot ideas. If my prompt suggestion is merely a springboard for something not completely whackadoo, and my squicks are avoided, then I am content. Possessive about the idea that it's my prompt, but content. If I'm really attached to a prompt idea that doesn't get written, I have no problem shopping it around until it does :)
Oh man, now I'm kind of loving the beta/creator exchange fest idea. "My squicks are character death, infidelity, and Google Docs." It would give writers and betas the chance to work with others' methods and ways of thinking and communicating.
Reply
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.
Reply
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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