A Few Thoughts

[scfrankles]

Well, I recently took part in my very first gift exchange over at acd_holmesfest. Thought I'd have a go at recording my experiences.

There were positive and negative aspects for me. I have to say that from signing up to handing over the story I found it hellishly stressful. It's been a while since I worried so much about my writing. I actually wrote my story twice - I'd written 3,500 words, done a fair amount of revising and pretty much finished the thing when I thought: this is awful. It was boring for me, let alone any potential readers. I started again from the beginning, writing the story in a different way. Cutting down on the plot and bumping up the jokes ^^

I did seriously think about asking the mods to find someone else to write for my recipient. What kept me going in the end wasn't the thought that I'd be letting my recipient down (I think thesmallhobbit would have got a better deal :P), rather it was the thought I'd be letting everyone down by not doing my bit. Some poor soul would be writing me a fic but I wouldn't have done anything to deserve it. (The poor soul was in fact methylviolet10b. I hadn't realised that, as a new girl who didn't really know anyone, a mod would be writing my gift ^^" You can find her wonderful story here.)

It can't be much fun for the mods, but I think I understand now why people sometimes drop out. It's an acute kind of stage fright - the knowledge that your work is going to be on show alongside that of seriously accomplished writers. I must admit, it was a relief to eventually discover that, though there were no poor pieces, there was a definite range of abilities amongst the participants. My fic did fit somewhere.

The part of the fest I completely enjoyed though was the commenting. I loved the camaraderie of reading, and viewing the art alongside the other members, and seeing what they thought. During the previous round I did have a bit of a go at commenting. But I was self-conscious and terrified of giving offence - so what I said was brief and stilted. This time I felt like part of the gang and was relaxed enough to be my usual self. Because I was taking part in the fest, I felt like I'd earned the right to comment on the other pieces.

And following on from that thought... It's taken quite a while but I think I'm starting to find my feet on LJ. I've followed thesmallhobbit's excellent lead and got involved in a couple more comms: I've written two pieces so far for fan_flashworks. And I've signed up to do recs for watsons_woes in December. (Just about to start work on my first fic for the comm as well.) sherlock60 is still my base but it's no longer the only place where I feel at home. I've begun having contact with people outside of sherlock60, and I think I'm teetering on the edge of becoming part of a bigger group of friends and becoming a more integral part of LJ. It's a nice feeling ^^

Comments

[mundungus42.livejournal.com]

*grins* I'm so happy you've found communities on LJ that make you happy. I've made so many dear friends through fests and exchanges that I try to play whenever I have the time. And oooo! Now I am going off to read your fic! :D

ETA: Read it- it's wonderful!! I'm so glad you persevered- reading it brightened a very grey day significantly. The epistolary really let the character voices shine through and created such wonderfully understated humor.

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

I am so glad you didn't back out - it's a lovely fic - and no-one but you could have written something so entirely appropriate.

I was extremely daunted at writing for MethylViolet (we appear to have completed a triangle) - someone whose ACD writing is amazing.

I'm delighted you are getting involved in all sorts of places on LJ and finding fun things to do.

[vaysh]

Yay for not backing out of an exchange fest. :) I think what you went through is a common experience for many people who participate in exchange fests. I am modding a lot of fests over in HP fandom, but I decided that I only have the nerves to mod two smaller exchange fests. It is a tough job for the mods, and whoever mods a big exchange fest, has all my respect and admiration. :)

I love what you say about the camaraderie of fests that comes through the common reading and commenting experience. It's the part I love most, too (well, other than actually getting fic written :)). You put that so beautifully: The part of the fest I completely enjoyed though was the commenting. I loved the camaraderie of reading, and viewing the art alongside the other members, and seeing what they thought. ♥

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

You're very kind to say so ^_^ I'm glad I stuck with it - if I have another go, next time I'll be more prepared.

We did complete a triangle, didn't we? (Obviously the mods trying to keep the trouble makers under control :P) And I can well understand you feeling daunted ^^" I assume though that methylviolet10b asked you to write for her because she knew you could do it well - you have all that experience of taking part in the fest.

And essentially I just follow you about LJ - it's seems to have worked so far :P

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

I'm glad now I stuck with it ^^ If I do have another go, I think next time I'll be more relaxed. I'll know what to expect ^^

And I really, really admire you for the effort you put into fandom in general. (Just modding sherlock60 seems to keep me busy ^^") I especially admire you for getting involved in exchange fests - no matter how small. It must take a heck of a lot of organising - from beginning to end. With regard to ACD Holmesfest: as well as connecting us up at the start, I did notice the care the mods had taken with the order of the posted fics, and the way fics and art were matched up together.

The camaraderie during fests is great, isn't it? ^^ It's lovely to get your work out there, and get comments on it, but it's equally nice to have contact with other readers and maybe make new friends ^_^

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

I've found out that the only way to truly get involved with LJ is to be bold and join in with other comms. I'm so grateful for thesmallhobbit's friendship - essentially she's pushed me in the right directions and encouraged me ^^

And thank you once again for reading my story - I'm so pleased that it brightened your day ^^ I can't ask for a better reaction than that really ^_^

(Sorry about the edit - correcting a typo ^^")

[debriswoman]

Delighted that you are making yourself at home here. My LJ involvement is a bit limited at present, but I enjoy cheering you on your way...with appropriate floral encouragement, of course:-)

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

You're very good to me ^^ (Though I have started flinching every time I pass a florist's... ^^") It's always lovely having contact with you on LJ.

[debriswoman]

:-)