Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is dark!fic?
A fan fic that is particularly dark in atmosphere and has disturbing concepts. Is usually full of angst, torment, depression, violence, rage, abuse, insanity, sorrow, horror... Lots of negativity.
What is accepted?
- Any fandom, including real person fiction (RPF)
- Original content
- All ratings
- Any genre
- Crossovers and fusions
- Original characters in existing fandoms
What is not allowed?
- Works in a language other than English
- Previously posted stories
Why is Dark Bingo English only?
This is to make it easier for the mods. We are unable to moderate submissions, answer questions, or offer prizes for entries we can't read.
Is a fill limited to fic only?
No. While fic is used as a shorthand you are not limited to fic. Bingo squares can be filled with fic, art, icons, recs, picspams, vids, podfic, mixes, or meta. If you come up with something else you want to use, PM the mod.
What are the requirements for a fill to count?
The minimum requirements are:
fic - 500 words
meta - 1000 words
art - medium sized (at least 320x240)
icon - set of 10
rec post - 10 recs (any combination of fandoms)
podfic - 500 word fic
picspam - 20 pics
vids - 30 sec
mixes - 10 songs with track list and explanation included
.gifs - set of five
You can, obviously, write/art/vid MORE than that, but not less.
What are the rules for mixes?
1. Mixes are a minimum of ten songs. They must be uploaded to mediafire, megaupload, or another long term hosting site. Mixes must be in a zip/rar file.
2. Cover art is optional, however you must include a track list with an explanation of how each song fits your dark prompt.
3. When posting to the comm, do not link directly to the download. Link to your own DW/LJ post with tracklisting and download links.
I am triggered by certain categories / individual prompts and don't want them on my card. What do I do?
The mods recognize that the nature of a dark challenge has potentially triggering content. If there are certain categories of prompts you would like to avoid, please note them when you sign up.
Please look at the list of prompts the cards are made from before signing up and veto from one to eight prompts that would be triggery/uncomfortable for you to write about. If you need more than eight prompts vetoed please contact the mod by PM (synnerxx) and we will work with you to make sure you have a suitable card.
Can I write a series?
Yes. However each story within the series must have a clear beginning and end. A story in a series cannot be used to fill more than one prompt.
Can I write, vid, etc. as part of a team?
You can sign up as a team but you cannot split the prompts between you. All fills in a bingo must be co-created if you sign up as a team.
I have a story posted previously that fits one of my prompts, can I use it?
No, everything for the bingo should be newly written and tagged as written for dark_bingo> since the goal of the challenge is to create more dark works.
Can I combine my dark_bingo fill with a fill from another challenge?
Yes, as long as it is a new post, is clearly labeled as being for dark_bingo as well as the other challenge, AND that the mods of the other challenge are okay with it.
Can I post my bingo story to newsletter communities and such?
Yes, of course. As long as the fills are labeled for dark_bingo when posted, they will be accepted for bingo.
Do I have to post every thing I've made for the bingo to the community?
No. You can only post the combination (bingos and extras) with the links to individual fills to the community; posting single fills to the community is not allowed and will be rejected.
I dislike my card and want a new one, can I request it?
To request a new card you have to finish at least one bingo on your current one. Remember that you don't have to fill all prompts in your card or be stuck with it until February. Fill out the bingo you're most comfortable with and then you can request a new card to play with.
However, if you received a card with prompts of a triggering nature for you, please contact the mod (synnerxx) by PM or email (synnerxx@hotmail.com) ASAP, so that we can work with you to create a more suitable card.
I've submitted a line bingo and now want to do a blackout on the same card, can I just fill the missing squares?
No. You'll have to write new stories for the squares you've used in the previous bingo. You can reuse the square however many times you like, but only if you fill it anew every time. If you do that we'll count points both for your previous bingo and your blackout.
I've completed a bingo but I don't want to ask for a new card, I want to continue playing with this one. Can I do this?
Yes, absolutely, as long as you're making new fills for the previously used prompts.
Can I make a fill that covers several squares at once?
Unless you're doing extras, no. Even if your fill answers two or more prompts at once, you still can only use it to cover one square.
Can I use multiple fandoms in a bingo?
Yes. A bingo does not have to be all in one fandom - ex: you can submit 2 RPF, 1 Pokemon, 1 Original and 1 Buffy fills in the same bingo. You also do not have to have all the same content in a bingo. You do not have to do all fic, or all art to make bingo - ex: you could submit 2 art, 1 mix and 2 fic to make a line bingo.
You do realize that you have 'cages', 'captivity', and 'imprisonment' prompts on the same list, right?
Yes, some prompts have both generalized and specific versions on the list; you're encouraged to interpret them as broadly or as narrowly as you'd like.
I don't understand what my prompt means and I'm confused by it.
PM or email the mods and we'll be happy to discuss it with you.
I don't like some of my prompts and I can't write them, what can I do?
If you received a card that has prompts of a triggering nature for you, please contact the mods by PM ASAP, so that we can work with you to create a more suitable card.
All prompts are open to interpretation. For example, 'tentacles' can vary from a character being attacked by something tentacled to the difficulties of being tentacled etc; 'loss of vision' could mean anything from a temporary or permanent loss of sight to the loss of ones' vision/goal/future/psychic sight to the removal of a hurtful vision/psychic sight, etc.
Some of these prompts are bound to force you out of your writerly comfort zone; half the challenge of this bingo is thinking of these prompts in new ways.
How much focus do I have to give the prompt?
Your work should have more than just a singular mention of the prompt. It should deal with it in some way. For example, if your prompt is "broken bone" that should be a significant factor in your work, not just a passing mention. How you deal with a prompt is left at your discretion. Remember that the genre is both 'dark'and all prompts are open to interpretation.
Does each story have to have explicit darkness?
You don't have to write your story out chronologically and explicitly; you can start with the aftermath of dark and work in details in retrospect. It is important to remember that you, as the creator, are defining what the idea of dark means to your characters.
What is the wild card square?
It's a card for which you choose a dark centered prompt from the list of prompts. It is not a blank square. You still have to fill it if it's in your bingo, just with the prompt of your own choosing.
I have a question that isn't answered here.
Please be sure to read the Rules and FAQs here and if you still have a question, comment here, PM the mod (synnerxx, or email her (synnerxx@hotmail.com).
A fan fic that is particularly dark in atmosphere and has disturbing concepts. Is usually full of angst, torment, depression, violence, rage, abuse, insanity, sorrow, horror... Lots of negativity.
What is accepted?
- Any fandom, including real person fiction (RPF)
- Original content
- All ratings
- Any genre
- Crossovers and fusions
- Original characters in existing fandoms
What is not allowed?
- Works in a language other than English
- Previously posted stories
Why is Dark Bingo English only?
This is to make it easier for the mods. We are unable to moderate submissions, answer questions, or offer prizes for entries we can't read.
Is a fill limited to fic only?
No. While fic is used as a shorthand you are not limited to fic. Bingo squares can be filled with fic, art, icons, recs, picspams, vids, podfic, mixes, or meta. If you come up with something else you want to use, PM the mod.
What are the requirements for a fill to count?
The minimum requirements are:
fic - 500 words
meta - 1000 words
art - medium sized (at least 320x240)
icon - set of 10
rec post - 10 recs (any combination of fandoms)
podfic - 500 word fic
picspam - 20 pics
vids - 30 sec
mixes - 10 songs with track list and explanation included
.gifs - set of five
You can, obviously, write/art/vid MORE than that, but not less.
What are the rules for mixes?
1. Mixes are a minimum of ten songs. They must be uploaded to mediafire, megaupload, or another long term hosting site. Mixes must be in a zip/rar file.
2. Cover art is optional, however you must include a track list with an explanation of how each song fits your dark prompt.
3. When posting to the comm, do not link directly to the download. Link to your own DW/LJ post with tracklisting and download links.
I am triggered by certain categories / individual prompts and don't want them on my card. What do I do?
The mods recognize that the nature of a dark challenge has potentially triggering content. If there are certain categories of prompts you would like to avoid, please note them when you sign up.
Please look at the list of prompts the cards are made from before signing up and veto from one to eight prompts that would be triggery/uncomfortable for you to write about. If you need more than eight prompts vetoed please contact the mod by PM (synnerxx) and we will work with you to make sure you have a suitable card.
Can I write a series?
Yes. However each story within the series must have a clear beginning and end. A story in a series cannot be used to fill more than one prompt.
Can I write, vid, etc. as part of a team?
You can sign up as a team but you cannot split the prompts between you. All fills in a bingo must be co-created if you sign up as a team.
I have a story posted previously that fits one of my prompts, can I use it?
No, everything for the bingo should be newly written and tagged as written for dark_bingo> since the goal of the challenge is to create more dark works.
Can I combine my dark_bingo fill with a fill from another challenge?
Yes, as long as it is a new post, is clearly labeled as being for dark_bingo as well as the other challenge, AND that the mods of the other challenge are okay with it.
Can I post my bingo story to newsletter communities and such?
Yes, of course. As long as the fills are labeled for dark_bingo when posted, they will be accepted for bingo.
Do I have to post every thing I've made for the bingo to the community?
No. You can only post the combination (bingos and extras) with the links to individual fills to the community; posting single fills to the community is not allowed and will be rejected.
I dislike my card and want a new one, can I request it?
To request a new card you have to finish at least one bingo on your current one. Remember that you don't have to fill all prompts in your card or be stuck with it until February. Fill out the bingo you're most comfortable with and then you can request a new card to play with.
However, if you received a card with prompts of a triggering nature for you, please contact the mod (synnerxx) by PM or email (synnerxx@hotmail.com) ASAP, so that we can work with you to create a more suitable card.
I've submitted a line bingo and now want to do a blackout on the same card, can I just fill the missing squares?
No. You'll have to write new stories for the squares you've used in the previous bingo. You can reuse the square however many times you like, but only if you fill it anew every time. If you do that we'll count points both for your previous bingo and your blackout.
I've completed a bingo but I don't want to ask for a new card, I want to continue playing with this one. Can I do this?
Yes, absolutely, as long as you're making new fills for the previously used prompts.
Can I make a fill that covers several squares at once?
Unless you're doing extras, no. Even if your fill answers two or more prompts at once, you still can only use it to cover one square.
Can I use multiple fandoms in a bingo?
Yes. A bingo does not have to be all in one fandom - ex: you can submit 2 RPF, 1 Pokemon, 1 Original and 1 Buffy fills in the same bingo. You also do not have to have all the same content in a bingo. You do not have to do all fic, or all art to make bingo - ex: you could submit 2 art, 1 mix and 2 fic to make a line bingo.
You do realize that you have 'cages', 'captivity', and 'imprisonment' prompts on the same list, right?
Yes, some prompts have both generalized and specific versions on the list; you're encouraged to interpret them as broadly or as narrowly as you'd like.
I don't understand what my prompt means and I'm confused by it.
PM or email the mods and we'll be happy to discuss it with you.
I don't like some of my prompts and I can't write them, what can I do?
If you received a card that has prompts of a triggering nature for you, please contact the mods by PM ASAP, so that we can work with you to create a more suitable card.
All prompts are open to interpretation. For example, 'tentacles' can vary from a character being attacked by something tentacled to the difficulties of being tentacled etc; 'loss of vision' could mean anything from a temporary or permanent loss of sight to the loss of ones' vision/goal/future/psychic sight to the removal of a hurtful vision/psychic sight, etc.
Some of these prompts are bound to force you out of your writerly comfort zone; half the challenge of this bingo is thinking of these prompts in new ways.
How much focus do I have to give the prompt?
Your work should have more than just a singular mention of the prompt. It should deal with it in some way. For example, if your prompt is "broken bone" that should be a significant factor in your work, not just a passing mention. How you deal with a prompt is left at your discretion. Remember that the genre is both 'dark'and all prompts are open to interpretation.
Does each story have to have explicit darkness?
You don't have to write your story out chronologically and explicitly; you can start with the aftermath of dark and work in details in retrospect. It is important to remember that you, as the creator, are defining what the idea of dark means to your characters.
What is the wild card square?
It's a card for which you choose a dark centered prompt from the list of prompts. It is not a blank square. You still have to fill it if it's in your bingo, just with the prompt of your own choosing.
I have a question that isn't answered here.
Please be sure to read the Rules and FAQs here and if you still have a question, comment here, PM the mod (synnerxx, or email her (synnerxx@hotmail.com).