From the Mod's Journal ... Prompting - a poll

[vaysh]

This is a trend I am seeing in prompt fests - tell me if I am wrong and it has always been like this. But I don't think so

Comments

[kellychambliss]

My overall thoughts are the same as yours -- when I leave prompts at prompt-based fests, I don't consider them "mine" and certainly don't expect a personalized "gift" in the way I (sort of) do with actual exchanges. They're just suggestions, designed, as you say, to give more creative freedom that exchanges do (or at least, a different sort of creative freedom).

[vaysh]

I am glad to hear that. And am very curious about the overall outcome of the poll. I noted that in some prompts fests, prompts lists and entries are posted without naming the prompter - to get away from the idea that a prompt is a personalised gift. Also, at least one fest has eliminated the option to list squicks. I have to say, I am all for this, seeing how possessive people have become about their prompts.

[eevilalice]

For the fest I mod I mention not listing squicks since it's a prompt fest, although I think people are so used to listing them (or apparently view fests differently, period) that some do so anyway. I can't remember whether or not I asked them to revise the prompts (I think I did). And them some prompts are SO detailed there's barely any wiggle room, so I've tried advising only 3-4 sentences maximum, but that doesn't always work either, lol.

[vaysh]

Which fest is it that doesn't ask to list squicks? It may have been the one I saw. I like that a lot. It may frustrate some prompters, but as a claimer I love it.

[eevilalice]

I've been noticing this too, although from the end of those claiming prompts treating and talking about them as if they were gifts, and I find it just as baffling. As you say, prompt fests are not exchanges. Anyway, recently I participated in a fest where prompt submissions were totally anonymous, and I kind of liked that even though it was weird at first.

I feel like some of my poll responses are contradictory, but I was thinking about multi-ship fests within a fandom, for instance. I don't mind someone playing with the idea of the prompt, but I admit I do get annoyed when someone claims the prompt as is but doesn't really write the requested ship or adds ships, etc. That's happened to me a couple times with threesomes in particular, and one character gets the shaft (or doesn't), usually the woman. I like the kinkfest option of submitting a new prompt with different ships instead.

[kitty_fic]

YOu know I've been curious about the fests that allow you to submit the same prompt with a different pairing. In a way I think this could be disrespecful to the original prompter. It wouldn't matter as much for very general themes or kinks and I think it fits really well for a fest like kinkfest - but if it was a fairly original idea or a more specific prompt it kind of bothers me that someone might take that unique idea and use it for a different pairing than what was asked for.

[eevilalice]

I would still rather a prompt be re-submitted that way than someone choose my prompt and not write the ship(s) I specified. You either are or aren't possessive of your prompt ideas, which is the basic question here. And frankly, there's very little new under the HP fanfic sun anymore at this point, lol.

[kitty_fic]

Oh, I totally agree with you that claiming a prompt in a multiship fest and not writing the specified pairings is really not fair to the prompter.

[kitty_fic]

I think that prompts are meant as inspiration and that there is lots of wiggle room in how you fill them. As long as you respect the prompter's squicks and their basic idea then I say you can take it any way you want to.

Also, I like the idea of taking a prompt snd using it to write an idea you already have or a story you've started, but I think this has to be done with respect to the prompter. It should still 'fit' the prompt enough that it is recognizable...

So, I guess it goes both ways. I think authors can have lots of wiggle room as long as they are respectful to their prompter's request.

[vaysh]

I am quite happy that you feel like prompts are inspiration more than something the claimer has to stick to faithfully. Of course, "to be respectful to the prompter's requests" can go a long way.

[subtlefire]

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.

[vaysh]

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?

I love your flailing, always do. :)

[subtlefire]

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

[subtlefire]

Yes, here it is. And my response is about what you'd expect :)

[wooly_bear]

Are people making demands? Because that kinda freaks me out. I want the writer to go with whatever flow they have. I've always considered EVERY story to be a gift to the universe, as it were.

[eevilalice]

I've always considered EVERY story to be a gift to the universe, as it were.

I love this. :)

[vaysh]

Not making demands no, not outright. But there's grumbling in the back. And claimers - me included - are getting anxious. I feel much more comfortable writing my own prompt these days, than to claim any prompt. It't not a very comfortable place to be because there are prompts I love but I would have to change parts, even major parts, for me to be willing to write them. Dilemma ...

I've always considered EVERY story to be a gift to the universe, as it were.
♥

[fantasyfiend09]

I've always considered EVERY story to be a gift to the universe, as it were.

This. Exactly this.

I love your comments!