I think a new strategy is in order

[ratherastory]

So October kind of kicked my ass, and is continuing to do so. I have decided that taking on lots of challenges with deadlines, like fic exchanges, is not a good idea for me anymore. I'm going to set some ground rules for myself when it comes to that, so that I don't end up stressed about what is meant to be happy-fun-times for me. Writing fic is a joy, and I don't want it to feel like a chore (it doesn't so far, have no fear, but I can see it coming to that).



1- I can only sign up for one challenge per month with a specific deadline. That way I won't have several things due at the same time to keep track of. OR there must be a minimum of two weeks between due dates, depending on the size of the challenge.

2- I will sign up for a maximum of four (4) big bangs next year. One for each quarter, which gives me on average three months to write each one. I will NOT sign up for a big bang unless I already have a specific idea in mind for the fic I want to write.

3- I will not sign up for a fic exchange just because it sounds nifty and out of my comfort zone. This year, that has inevitably led to my stressing unnecessarily about fic.

4- I am allowed to write unlimited amounts of comment-fic. Comment-fic to my heart's content. Because I love comment-fic, it falls in my comfort zone in terms of subject matter and story length, and it generally makes me feel happy and productive.

5- I will work a lot more on my WIPs and verses, because I love them and don't want to neglect them.

6- Rather than adding to my list of writing ideas, I am going to try my level best to actually write the stories that go with the ideas I already have.


I may add to this list later on, but for now I think those are pretty good ground rules. They reflect what I've come to love about writing for fandom, and eliminate some of the problems I've had in terms of fic commitments. That way I can ensure I'll continue to have fun writing reams and reams of fanfic next year. :)

Comments

[nyoka.livejournal.com]

Sounds good, hon! Look at you being all responsible! Hee!

[ratherastory.livejournal.com]

Yeah, let's see if it lasts in the face of the shiny... ;)

[heartlessbytchh.livejournal.com]

And we'll have the fun of reading your work. It's all WIN WIN !\o/
:D

[ratherastory.livejournal.com]

True! I will be writing no matter what, after all. :)

[roque-clasique.livejournal.com]

This looks great! Especially #4 and #5 :) I wondered how the hell you managed with all of the stuff you had signed up for! You are incredibly prolific and incredibly quick, but STILL, it looked exhausting!

[ratherastory.livejournal.com]

I managed, but by the skin of my teeth, and I had to default on one challenge (luckily it wasn't an exchange, because I would have felt really nad about that) in September.

The end of October is a little harrowing, then I have two fics in November and one due in December, and after that just one commitment left. So that should free me up to write reams and reams of comment-fic and continue with my 'verses. (Mostly it's the Reverse Big Bang that's eating up all my time and concentration)

In short, I am looking forward to writing fic entirely for me. The 'verse and Roses in December are at the top of my list when I'm free again. :)

[claudiapriscus.livejournal.com]

#4 is very, very important. Where would we be without commentfic?

(Well, probably getting things that we procrastinate on done, but where's the fun in that?)

[ratherastory.livejournal.com]

I don't know where we'd be! I love comment-fic with much love. :)

[icelily01.livejournal.com]

I am laughing forever at #2. I cannot fathom even writing A big bang yet, they scare the hell out of me. But you're so flippantly like "Oh yes I will only do four. Four I say!"

You're awesome. *Said with the mandatory drunken Dean slur*

[ratherastory.livejournal.com]

LOL

When you think about it, 20K isn't all that long. The two Big Bangs I've written clocked in at more than that, with no major effort on my part to "stretch" the story.

Four is a maximum. I certainly didn't write four this year (just the two), but I have one due in January, and I know I'll want to write the same ones as I did this year, which leaves me some wriggle room for a fourth if I really, really want to.

I'm sure you'll be churning out the Big Bangs with the best of them come next year. They really sound more intimidating than they are. :)

[la-mariane.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a plan! But now, you'll have to exert SELF-CONTROL! Good luck with that, I've never managed this trick :)

[ratherastory.livejournal.com]

Gah. Self-control. Yeah, that. Umm... *shifty look*

I'll get back to you. ;)

[harrigan.livejournal.com]

5 \0/ 5 \0/ 5 \0/ 5 \0/ 5 \0/ !!!!! I love them and don't want you to neglect them either!

[pkwench.livejournal.com]

"And I love comment fic because of the crazy-ass, long-winded prompts left by some freak to whom I will one day gift a fictional puppy." (The beautiful thing about comment fic and prompts? They're always there when you have free time. So, get caught up, relax, and hit the memes when you have time - even if it's much later. There will still be prompts. And I'll be sure to point you to all of mine because I'm a selfish cow. LOL)(Though, yeah, I had to console myself with that fact that 1-I can write creepy any time of the year and if I have to wait until break to do it, well, my brain will provide and 2-there will always be prompts waiting at the memes. :) So, yeah.)(And, yes, writing fic should be fun, not a chore. Or at least a chore that you love. *G*)