I'm Not Sure How I Feel About This...

[mia_alexandria]

[mood| contemplative]
[music| "D.A.N.C.E.- Justice]

Dear dgficexchange,

You and I have had a pretty good relationship in the two times that I've participated in your wonderful exchange of fic (and occasionally art). The first time was a bit of a rocky start, but hey; most relationships aren't always perfect. The second time around, however, I was confident in both my choice of prompt and the final result. What made it even better was that I was nominated 4 times. Four times! For it being my second time writing for an exchange of any kind, I was both honored and excited. I didn't win, but I was still happy to have produced a fic that people felt it had to be nominated and voted for.

I now approach my third round of your exchange and, up until this round's theme was announced, I was pretty excited. I've always loved the mods for the exchange and the layout they've created for this upcoming round is gorgeous. However, when I read the entry regarding this coming round and the new rules established, I became a bit concerned.

While I understand that people dropping out has always been a previous problem, I don't like the idea of limiting the amount of participants to 50. My policy on something like an exchange is that I don't sign up unless I know for certain that I will be able to participate. So, unless someone has a real life issue happen to them after they've signed up, I think it's silly for anyone to sign up if they know that they won't be able to stick to the time constraints. Not only that, but I feel that limiting the number of participants is a bit of a hindrance to the exchange. I'm the type of person that feels that if you want to participate, then you should be allowed to participate. By allowing past participants to sign up first before newbies is a disadvantage to the newbies, but I also think that just because you're a past participant doesn't mean that you produce fantastic products, or that there's a higher chance of you not dropping out (the latter may, or may not be true). Because, honestly, some of the fics by authors who have participated before aren't always the best ones. Or even ones that I personally enjoy. 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.

I also have a bit of an issue with the theme. The theme itself asks for the author to think of a prompt that allows for an in depth look at the characters' respective psyches. If they can't, then oh well. And while I love the theories and concepts practiced in the field of psychology (hell, I wrote an entire fic about it), a vast majority of the stories I've read that features a character practicing in the field is usually more dramatic than humorous in nature. Of course I've seen fics that have a character acting as a psychologist that have been humorous, but well. I don't know. Rio and I feel that because it is the Spring Exchange that the theme should be a bit more light-hearted since it seems as though many authors might come up with fics in a more dramatic and/or angsty vein. I hope that I'm wrong, but it is a very likely possibility.

Please don't take this the wrong way, dgficexchange. I still plan on signing up and (hopefully) participating, so just take my comments for what they are: comments. I did not write this to bash you or the mods for, like I said previous, I think they are fantastic and I have nothing but respect for them and all that they do. I hope that this round is absolutely amazing. :)

With love,
xalexandriam (Alexandria Malfoy)

Comments

[astoria-potter.livejournal.com]

You are amazing, sweetie.

[xalexandriam.livejournal.com]

Awww...why thank you. :D

Do you feel the same way?

[astoria-potter.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Like last year I had to drop out because of some RL-issues, and they understood, but still, it's a tad bit strange of them to do this. I'm not writing D/G atm, but I think it's kind of insultive to do this to some people out there and it's kind of an ego boost to some.

[xalexandriam.livejournal.com]

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. :(

[astoria-potter.livejournal.com]

Exactly, right?! You're amazing sweetie! And I really applaud you for writing that. You sent it to them, yes yes? :)

[xalexandriam.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :D I haven't sent it to them only because I fear that they might take it the wrong way. :/ Which is the last thing that I want.

[astoria-potter.livejournal.com]

Ah. You could do it anonymously?

[xalexandriam.livejournal.com]

Honestly? I'd much rather see the response that the rest of the fandom has to the post, before I comment with it. And I just don't like doing anonymous comments, in general, because I feel that if you have something to say, then you should own up to it.

If I feel that it becomes an ongoing problem, though, then I'll voice my concern. I'd just rather not start any trouble with the moderators because I genuinely like them.

[astoria-potter.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I see where you're coming from. It just bugs me, even though I'm not in the D/G fandom atm.

[turkeyish.livejournal.com]

i co-sign this!

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!

[xalexandriam.livejournal.com]

Why thank you!

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

[turkeyish.livejournal.com]

aw, you're a fantastic writer! if i don't get to sign up, at least i can lurk on the comm and read your story. :D

i hope enough people who feel as strongly about this speak up and you get to post this - i'm too scurred, haha.

[xalexandriam.livejournal.com]

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. :)

[elyaeru.livejournal.com]

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 don't mean to put myself in the mod's shoes or whatever, but 50 just seems like a nice, round, manageable number. I suppose one of the main reasons for capping the number of participants is to limit the work. The mods seem pretty busy this season! Similarly, the previous participant helps with that: they're LESS likely to drop out and/or will be in good communication with the mods so if anything does pop up, it won't be done on a "ummmm" level. Ish. :P Did that make sense? It is elitist, I guess, but it seems like the best way to do it. *shrug*

Personally, I think the theme can go both ways. I mean, if I was in the exchange, depending on the prompt I'd get, I'd probably opt for something light-hearted. Although I do see the dramatic/angsty-ness of it. But the overall prompt is optional. It just depends on the prompt-giver, I guess!

I suppose the fact that, being a past participant, the new rules don't "exactly" apply to me are helping me think this way, so... yeah. I hope I can participant in this round too.

[xalexandriam.livejournal.com]

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.

[elyaeru.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. :D

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

[xalexandriam.livejournal.com]

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.