In my limited experience it depends on the fest, and undoubtedly the fest organisers. Take for example the car crash that was World Cup. Okay, it was worse than a car crash - a plane crashing into a tall building, maybe, at least in terms of the H/D ship. And then compare that fest to hd-inspired, which is run by three people with their feet on the ground and their perception of their roles as facilitators well defined. The whole vibe of being part of HDI is markedly different to any other fest I've ever been in (and I admit that ain't many). HDI feels more cosy and supportive, mainly because it is. It's not riddled with oneupmanship challenges and who gets the highest review count. It's about taking a genuine pleasure in the fics and art produed. These are mods who pitch it right in my slightly less than humble opinion. The fest is about showcasing the fics and art, and nothing more
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And my experience was that it WAS authors who were moaning rather than readers, and that makes me not want to engage with that pool of authors again.
Ugh, how very very dreadfully sad. :( I mean that they were moaning, rather than the response to it, which is about what my response would have been too.
I do fine without the profile of fests like that, so it's not a big deal to me, although it must be awful for newer writers wanting to create a profile.
Yes, I think that's fests are really almost the only way for newer writers to "break out" so to speak. Most people I've ever heard talk about how they decide what to read, do so mostly by recs or by name recognition. If you don't have a name to be recognized...you're a bit sol. I'm in a bit of "Devour all the fic" mode, but I know not everyone has the time or energy or interest to do that.
All I would say is that there are a ton of fests out there, and you are guaranteed to find the right fit for you. Also, the anonymity of posting
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I think in a sense there's a perversity in me that I find this sort of longing to participate in me when I know very well that I'm not the best person at Fic on Demand as it were. Gah, silly me.
Hah, me too! Also, I'm very nearly a fic virgin. But I'm in the hp_cross_gen fest now, and finding it quite inspiring - I have no pretentions to the best fic ever, but it's a stress-free fest so far, and I find it interesting to write to someone else's prompt. I'll be signing up for the hp_darkfest too, partly because it isn't an exchange fest so it'll be another new experience and a chance to go somewhere new. Have a look around - there's bound to be something out there that tickles your muse if you want it to.
I find it really interesting what you say about the different fests. Being a newbie who's only read the fics coming out of these fests it's hard to tell what the experience of participating in them is like, so an insider's perspective like this is valuable.
I partly agree with Cal, though I had slightly different experiences in a few fests. My first fest was a pinch hit for HD_hols, and I found it a comfortable, enjoyable experience. This was mostly because I am reasonably sanguine about comments, so didn't have some of the angst that Cal found frustrating on her flist (I also didn't have many friends in those days *sighs and looks pensive
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Pinch hitting works for some, but I'm just not made to write stories at the last minute, unless the muse tackles me and holds me down. That is rare.
You know the reason why they have the 2 month thing is because they don't want someone who's so new they don't understand what is involved and are likely to disappear. However, I'm sure that if you sent a note to one of the mods asking for an exception they would probably give you one. I would try one of the smaller fests. That hp_darkfest looks mighty tasty.
You can sign up for most fests, you goose! Toss your name in there; chances are, you'll be able to write. I know some fests have gone to a lottery, but not all have.
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And my experience was that it WAS authors who were moaning rather than readers, and that makes me not want to engage with that pool of authors again.
Ugh, how very very dreadfully sad. :( I mean that they were moaning, rather than the response to it, which is about what my response would have been too.
I do fine without the profile of fests like that, so it's not a big deal to me, although it must be awful for newer writers wanting to create a profile.
Yes, I think that's fests are really almost the only way for newer writers to "break out" so to speak. Most people I've ever heard talk about how they decide what to read, do so mostly by recs or by name recognition. If you don't have a name to be recognized...you're a bit sol. I'm in a bit of "Devour all the fic" mode, but I know not everyone has the time or energy or interest to do that.
All I would say is that there are a ton of fests out there, and you are guaranteed to find the right fit for you. Also, the anonymity of posting ( ... )
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Hah, me too! Also, I'm very nearly a fic virgin. But I'm in the hp_cross_gen fest now, and finding it quite inspiring - I have no pretentions to the best fic ever, but it's a stress-free fest so far, and I find it interesting to write to someone else's prompt. I'll be signing up for the hp_darkfest too, partly because it isn't an exchange fest so it'll be another new experience and a chance to go somewhere new. Have a look around - there's bound to be something out there that tickles your muse if you want it to.
Oh, and hi! :)
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You know the reason why they have the 2 month thing is because they don't want someone who's so new they don't understand what is involved and are likely to disappear. However, I'm sure that if you sent a note to one of the mods asking for an exception they would probably give you one. I would try one of the smaller fests. That hp_darkfest looks mighty tasty.
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