Yeah. I wasn't expecting them to do something like this. I mean, I guess it was done to limit drop-outs, but still. I know a couple of really fantastic authors that want to participate this round, but because it'd be their first time writing for the exchange, they might not be able to sign up. :(
seriously, i saw the post and was all "wtf", for all the same reasons you've just outlined. but as a newbie, of course i didn't feel i had the right to say anything. hopefully i get to participate. eurgh, the policy smacks of elitism to me. :( and, i don't know - i mean i understand that most people want quality control during fests and exchanges, but what about people who aren't the greatest writers but sincerely want to participate? not everyone's at the same level as a big name author in the fandom.
also:
I feel that the fic produced may not be that author's personal best, but because of their name alone and the importance attached to their name that people adore it more.
THISTHISTHIS. i see this all the time, and not just during fests/exchanges - and it's always irked me, even if i never articulated it as well.
I honestly don't like the new stipulations they're enacting. And it does have a hint of elitism to it. Because I think that you're a fantastic writer, but I'm afraid that if you don't sign up in time, then I won't be able to see what you might produce.
The part that you quoted: I saw that so much the last round of the exchange. Not that I have anything against the big name writers (I enjoy many of their stories), but they consistently get nominated and the praise is just never ending, so I get excited to read their stories, but honestly? I'll read it and I'll like it, but I often feel that it doesn't deserve the amount of praise that it gets (not that it should receive zero praise, but the reactions are just overwhelmingly positive). So it'll just upset me when it's time to vote for awards for that round because I tend to vote on something that is truly spectacular, but what will end up winning it something that is good, of course, but will more often than not, be written by a big name author.
Thanks! *blushes* :D haha I would love for you to participate, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I've checked back at the community a couple of times and, as far as I can tell, everyone seems pleased with the news rules and such. But then again, everyone who's commented, besides the mods, have either participated in a previous round, or are big name authors. Of course it would be favored by that group because the new rules cater to that group.
And if you read the response I wrote to my beta, astoria_potter, I talk about posting this to that post's comments. :)
I think I should make some points for the other side.
I read this post first, and then read the actual post by the mods. I understand your points, and agree with them, but in retrospect, I understand why the mods decided to do it, regardless of the consequences of limiting the amount of talent being allowed to join.
From a mod's perspective, 50 participants is still quite a lot. The dmhgficexchange last year had 119 gifts, and it seemed like a modding nightmare! Take care of drop-outs, contacting and maintaining communication with back-up writers, maintaining communication with the writers/artists full stop, making (well, attempting to) sure each gift gets equal viewing, coding the longer fics, assigning the prompts et cetera... From the tag list at dgficexchange the numbers for 2008: 152, and 2008f: 92. Of course, you have to take into account ALL posts concerning those exchanges like the administration ... but in general, it still sounds like quite a lot
( ... )
I definitely understand and agree with what you're saying. I have no doubts that the reasoning behind why the mods limited the number of participants are for the reasons that you stated. Really, this particular post was just my initial thoughts on that post for the exchange. If anything, I think that the sign up date should be the same for everyone, but again; previous participants are less likely to drop out. So I understand why previous participants would have an earlier sign up date.
And I'm sure that the theme can go both ways because I've seen it done before. I guess I was just under the impression that it might be harder to come up with a more "light-hearted" prompt that a dramatic/angsty prompt for those participating. I know for me, personally, it'll be harder for me to come up with a humorous prompt.
Thanks for expressing your opinion for the other side. :D It's always nice to hear an opinion that differs from my own.
Well, you saw how not-so-angsty "amor inter nos est" was, right? As of late, I totally fail at angsty stuff, so unless I'm feeling particularly "sod it all, you bastard world" you can totally guarantee a light-hearted one from me. :P
Of course, that's if I manage to make it on to the participants list, haha. xD
hahah Yeah, I mean, dramatic stuff I'm decent at, but I can't do full-on angst. I just can't. So I'm probably going to churn out some sort of light-hearted prompt. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Oh, gosh. I'm hoping I make it onto the participants list.
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Do you feel the same way?
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seriously, i saw the post and was all "wtf", for all the same reasons you've just outlined. but as a newbie, of course i didn't feel i had the right to say anything. hopefully i get to participate. eurgh, the policy smacks of elitism to me. :( and, i don't know - i mean i understand that most people want quality control during fests and exchanges, but what about people who aren't the greatest writers but sincerely want to participate? not everyone's at the same level as a big name author in the fandom.
also:
I feel that the fic produced may not be that author's personal best, but because of their name alone and the importance attached to their name that people adore it more.
THISTHISTHIS. i see this all the time, and not just during fests/exchanges - and it's always irked me, even if i never articulated it as well.
needless to say, i love your post!
Reply
I honestly don't like the new stipulations they're enacting. And it does have a hint of elitism to it. Because I think that you're a fantastic writer, but I'm afraid that if you don't sign up in time, then I won't be able to see what you might produce.
The part that you quoted: I saw that so much the last round of the exchange. Not that I have anything against the big name writers (I enjoy many of their stories), but they consistently get nominated and the praise is just never ending, so I get excited to read their stories, but honestly? I'll read it and I'll like it, but I often feel that it doesn't deserve the amount of praise that it gets (not that it should receive zero praise, but the reactions are just overwhelmingly positive). So it'll just upset me when it's time to vote for awards for that round because I tend to vote on something that is truly spectacular, but what will end up winning it something that is good, of course, but will more often than not, be written by a big name author.
And thanks again! :D
Reply
i hope enough people who feel as strongly about this speak up and you get to post this - i'm too scurred, haha.
Reply
I've checked back at the community a couple of times and, as far as I can tell, everyone seems pleased with the news rules and such. But then again, everyone who's commented, besides the mods, have either participated in a previous round, or are big name authors. Of course it would be favored by that group because the new rules cater to that group.
And if you read the response I wrote to my beta, astoria_potter, I talk about posting this to that post's comments. :)
Reply
I read this post first, and then read the actual post by the mods. I understand your points, and agree with them, but in retrospect, I understand why the mods decided to do it, regardless of the consequences of limiting the amount of talent being allowed to join.
From a mod's perspective, 50 participants is still quite a lot. The dmhgficexchange last year had 119 gifts, and it seemed like a modding nightmare! Take care of drop-outs, contacting and maintaining communication with back-up writers, maintaining communication with the writers/artists full stop, making (well, attempting to) sure each gift gets equal viewing, coding the longer fics, assigning the prompts et cetera... From the tag list at dgficexchange the numbers for 2008: 152, and 2008f: 92. Of course, you have to take into account ALL posts concerning those exchanges like the administration ... but in general, it still sounds like quite a lot ( ... )
Reply
And I'm sure that the theme can go both ways because I've seen it done before. I guess I was just under the impression that it might be harder to come up with a more "light-hearted" prompt that a dramatic/angsty prompt for those participating. I know for me, personally, it'll be harder for me to come up with a humorous prompt.
Thanks for expressing your opinion for the other side. :D It's always nice to hear an opinion that differs from my own.
Reply
Well, you saw how not-so-angsty "amor inter nos est" was, right? As of late, I totally fail at angsty stuff, so unless I'm feeling particularly "sod it all, you bastard world" you can totally guarantee a light-hearted one from me. :P
Of course, that's if I manage to make it on to the participants list, haha. xD
Reply
Oh, gosh. I'm hoping I make it onto the participants list.
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