My January on LJ

[scfrankles]

I had a rather satisfyingly busy January on LJ, so I thought I'd have a go at documenting it here.

On New Year's Eve I impulsively signed up to rec for 221b_recs. I had intended to volunteer for February or March, but the comm seemed desperate for people and I thought it was as good a time as any. There had been acd_holmesfest and holmestice recently, and I had quite a few favourites ready to recommend. I'd recced before in July but I only managed the minimum four and this time I was determined to do the full twelve. I was very pleased that I reached that goal, and I have to say I enjoyed the experience more second time around. I think it's easy to start second guessing yourself: is this too popular? Has everyone already seen it? Is this not going to be popular enough - is it just something I like? Are people going to think I'm odd for suggesting this? This time I just got on with it, and I think everything I suggested got some attention via my rec. It makes me strangely proud - the pieces have nothing to do with me, yet there's something about pointing people in the direction of work that you love, and them going on to love it too.

Also in January, I posted four fics for fan_flashworks (and claimed my first badge ^^), and had a go at doing a couple of fills for comment_fic. Admittedly, one fill was for a prompt given by thesmallhobbit, and the other was for a prompt given by a friend of thesmallhobbit. And both were for Sherlock. I shall have to be a little bolder and try new fandoms.

But most importantly last month, we wrapped up Round 3 at sherlock60 and began Round 4. It was my colleague thesmallhobbit's idea to do some promotional work for the the new round - must admit it didn't occur to me. But I'm so glad we did - I was taken aback by the positive response. I'm still thrilled by how busy the comm seems now - we're getting people turning up regularly each week to post or to comment. And what has really surprised me is what a hit Mrs. Hudson's poetry page is turning out to be. This is due in no small part to debriswoman's poems. In case you haven't seen them yet, here's a 60 word poem she wrote for STUD, and this poem is one she wrote for SIGN, for the poetry page itself. She's got quite a talent, and it's wonderful to have her round the place again.

I remember ten weeks into Round 3 how despondent I felt that no-one seemed particularly interested in sherlock60. I thought that I'd stop doing the discussion posts, continue posting my own 60s until I'd completed my set, and then that would be that. I'm so glad though that we kept going. I know a couple of people were kind enough to mention the comm in their journals, and people would pop in and out - and I think it was at that point vaysh joined us with her wonderful 60s. I must admit, it was dispiriting on occasion when it was just me, thesmallhobbit and laurose8. But it was also a great deal of fun. (I seemed to spend an awful lot of time messing around in the comments with thesmallhobbit ^^) There was no pressure - I had the opportunity to learn how to be a mod in a relaxed atmosphere, and to learn how to keep to a timetable for writing the posts, while knowing if I did muck things up I only had a few people to apologise to ^^ And I think that fun and relaxed atmosphere gradually attracted other people to the comm. It's never going to be a huge community, by its nature, but I don't think I'd want it to be. I like being able to comment on everyone's work, and take part properly in the discussions. It's nice that everyone knows everyone else.

And so looking forward to what's happening in February:

One thing I regret not having got round to in January was having a go at the watsons_woes prompt. However, I shall be making up for that with a vengeance this month. Because (be still my heart) the challenge this month is for microfiction and tiny creations! Absolutely perfect for me, of course.

And bbcsherlock is being used as the host for a Drabble Fest. Prompts are being taken now, up until 10th February, and posting of the fics begins on 11th February, the fest concluding 7th March. (Please consider leaving some prompts here, even if you don't think you'll be writing for the fest.) I have to say I'm greatly looking forward to it ^^

Comments

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

I do enjoy your and thesmallhobbit's playing around in comments. (I'm not sure which is Ratty and which is Mole)

Of new fandoms...How did you like the 70s tv cop show Starsky and Hutch? (Let's forget about the twenty-first century movie, as quickly as possible). I've just stumabled across a couple of comms about it ( http://starsky-hutch.livejournal.com/ and http://starskyhutch911.livejournal.com/ )and I'm sure they'd love to have you.

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Getting in first to lay claim to Ratty ;)

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

I love them both, but Mole is more likely to be smotheringly squished by anyfan in armsreach. *Hands thesmallhobbit her Ratty prize, the New Zealand ethnic sandwich - a marmite and soap cheddar doorstop.*

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

Damn! (Don't care... Mole's better...*mutters away to self*)

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

I enjoy my and thesmallhobbit's playing around in comments too ^_^

Have to say I loved Starsky and Hutch at the time (huge crush on Paul Michael Glaser) but the passion has dimmed over the years ^^ Might have a look at the comms though - see if anything can be rekindled ^^

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thought I'd better respond to this, since I seem to be dragging you into various things that you really hadn't expected ;)

I think we were both plunged into the deep end with Sherlock60, wanting to keep the comm going, but with no particular plan in mind. This time we've been better organised and actually know what we're doing (as far as that is possibe!). I too am surprised - and delighted - with the response to the poetry page.

I look forward to all your contributions to WW. Especially since I've posted my first one :p

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

I have seen your sedoka - I am popping across shortly to comment ^^ (Someone was quick off the mark...)

And if you didn't drag me into things, I'd never get anywhere on LJ :P I think with round 3, at first we weren't totally sure whether we were just carrying on for a while - so we could finish off sets of 60s - or if we were formally keeping the comm open. I would agree that now we both know what we're doing ^_^

[garonne.livejournal.com]

Wow, already the fourth round at Sherlock 60? I hadn't noticed there'd been so many rounds, even though I've been following it from the start, I think. I've not being paying attention to the point in the cycle you were all at, just been enjoying the output :) Glad to hear the comm is going from strength to strength these days!

I've just realised debriswoman is the same Mrs P whose output I've very much admired on ff.net. Just discovered some new stuff of hers thanks to your links :)

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

Time does seem to have gone quickly ^^ I joined the comm towards the end of round 2, then thesmallhobbit and I took over for round 3, and round 4 has been running for 3 weeks now ^^

I'm very glad to have helped you find more of mrspencil's wonderful work ^_^ (I can't help but think of her as debriswoman, because that's the name I first knew her under ^^)

[tardisjournal.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on a productive beginning of the year! :)

I hadn't realized sherlock60 had been around so long! I'm awfully glad you kept it going, even through the tough times. Last year I started to re-read the canon stories and was desperate for people to talk and write about them with. Your comm was sure in the right place at the right time for me! Its current renaissance is astounding. You and thesmallhobbit should be very proud. :)

Keep up the good work!

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

Thanks ^^ I'm really pleased that I've begun to engage with LJ more fully ^^

Sherlock60's been going 3 1/2 years now ^_^ (I joined just after its second anniversary, I think.) And I am very proud with what we've achieved ^^ Me and thesmallhobbit just sort of fell into keeping the comm open. We were going to carry on with the 60s together via our journals but the owner, spacemutineer said we could use the comm for posting if we wanted and... Here we are ^_^

I'd first seen 60s on AO3 and dA, and fallen in love with them. I was quite happy writing them on my own but hisietari (we met through dA) encouraged me to join LJ and the comm. It took me a while (I recognised some of the members' names and thought: "Bloody hell - I don't belong there") but I'm so glad I took the plunge. It meant I met like-minded people, and it was my first proper step into fandom - I'd been hanging round the edges looking awkward. And I really hit the jackpot becoming friends with thesmallhobbit - she gave me the confidence to try more comms. I don't think I'd have stayed on LJ without her support ^^

And that's my life-story so far :P I'm so glad the comm is right for you too. And I'm very, very glad it meant that we met ^__^