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yuuagoSo, I've been thinking of putting together a Nordic fest. I've never done this before - so input would be appreciated.
It's just an idea I've been toying with because it seems like it might be fun to do - and challenging. What I would ideally like to do with it is encourage fannish output of gen/historical stuff, and uncommon character interactions, while at the same time giving participants the freedom to do basically whatever they want. I want it to be low-stress, easy, and enjoyable!
Here is the general idea that I have for the form of it:
-Participants would be assigned certain pairs of characters (not necessarily romantic pairings!) through the use of a random number generator. Each pair would come with a very short prompt, probably one or two words. (Simple ones, like "rain" or "writing letters").
-Then, the participant would have to pick at least two pairs from the list, and for each write at least 500 words.
-I want anonymous users and artists to be able to participate. Anonymous submissions could probably be made through screened posts or Pastebin or some combination of the two. Artists... I guess it would be a case of "draw whatever you want as long as it fills the propts you choose" (Because what's the art equivalent of a 500-word fic? Heh)
So, aside from the mechanics, here's the thing about it:
-Because the combinations would be chosen randomly, participants would receive character combinations/prompts that aren't written very frequently. They might receive a prompt for one of the common pairings, like Norway and Denmark, but they're more likely to receive less common combinations like Denmark and Iceland. Because part of the goal is uncommon character interaction, a maximum of one common pair (Sweden and Finland, or Denmark and Norway) would be given in each list (if there are any at all!). Pairs that are well-liked but not written as frequently as Denmark&Norway and Sweden&Finland, such as Denmark&Sweden, will not have any limitations put on them.
-It would be explicitly stated that both romantic relationships and gen are equally encouraged, and the pairs of characters will not be written as pairings in the lists. This would allow maximum freedom for creative use of the prompts. Someone can write romantic stories if they want, or they can write family-fic if they want; it's up to them.
-The short, open nature of the prompts given with the character combinations would encourage people to take the idea and run with it as far as they want. "Writing letters", for example, could mean exchanging love letters, or writing letters while angry, or letters that are never sent, letters that are ignored and re-discovered, learning to write, anything...!
-There would be the option of writing either two short fics of (minimum) 500 words, or combining the characters/prompts to write one longer fic of (minimum) 1000 words.
Here is an example of what a participant's list might look like:
1. Norway, Denmark - Rain
2. Denmark, Iceland - Writing letters
3. Iceland, Finland - Coffee
4. Denmark, Sweden - Borders
The person who received this list might, for example, decide to take prompts 3 and 4, and write two shortfics - one about Iceland and Finland sharing a personal moment together over coffee, and the other a historical fic dealing with the border changes between Sweden and Denmark over time (Scania, etc). Or, they might combine prompts 1 and 2, and put out a 1000-word fic set sometime during the 19th century about Denmark and Iceland writing letters to Norway together while it rains outside. (The artist's equivalent of this would be to somehow illustrate the two prompts in one go - be it through putting it all in one picture, or doing a comic, or whatever they want!)
Of course, these are just examples. (But I would totally read any of these, heh).
Ultimately, what I want to do is this:
-An easy, low-stress fest, which
-Gives plenty of options to write (or draw!) the Nordic characters in both common and uncommon combinations, with
-Plenty of opportunity to do gen or romance, modern or historical, family or friendship, according to the participant's whim, and
-Gives the option to write (or draw) as little or as much as the participant's time and desire allow, and ultimately
-Provides maximum freedom to do whatever the heck one wants within a few small guidelines.
There are probably some gaping flaws in the basic idea, though, so any input would be wonderful. Right now, I have three main questions -
-What would be a good time to have it? I don't want to do it when people are bogged down by essays and exams.
-Is 500 words too short for a minimum? I think it is reasonable because it is a minimum, and there is also the option of combining prompts and writing something with a minimum of 1000 words, but I would like more input on this.
-Is 4 pairs of characters to choose from too many? Too few? There are only 10 possible combinations of Nordic characters. I want the options to provide the challenge of writing less-common combinations without being too restraining.
-Is there anything else I haven't thought of?
It's just an idea I've been toying with because it seems like it might be fun to do - and challenging. What I would ideally like to do with it is encourage fannish output of gen/historical stuff, and uncommon character interactions, while at the same time giving participants the freedom to do basically whatever they want. I want it to be low-stress, easy, and enjoyable!
Here is the general idea that I have for the form of it:
-Participants would be assigned certain pairs of characters (not necessarily romantic pairings!) through the use of a random number generator. Each pair would come with a very short prompt, probably one or two words. (Simple ones, like "rain" or "writing letters").
-Then, the participant would have to pick at least two pairs from the list, and for each write at least 500 words.
-I want anonymous users and artists to be able to participate. Anonymous submissions could probably be made through screened posts or Pastebin or some combination of the two. Artists... I guess it would be a case of "draw whatever you want as long as it fills the propts you choose" (Because what's the art equivalent of a 500-word fic? Heh)
So, aside from the mechanics, here's the thing about it:
-Because the combinations would be chosen randomly, participants would receive character combinations/prompts that aren't written very frequently. They might receive a prompt for one of the common pairings, like Norway and Denmark, but they're more likely to receive less common combinations like Denmark and Iceland. Because part of the goal is uncommon character interaction, a maximum of one common pair (Sweden and Finland, or Denmark and Norway) would be given in each list (if there are any at all!). Pairs that are well-liked but not written as frequently as Denmark&Norway and Sweden&Finland, such as Denmark&Sweden, will not have any limitations put on them.
-It would be explicitly stated that both romantic relationships and gen are equally encouraged, and the pairs of characters will not be written as pairings in the lists. This would allow maximum freedom for creative use of the prompts. Someone can write romantic stories if they want, or they can write family-fic if they want; it's up to them.
-The short, open nature of the prompts given with the character combinations would encourage people to take the idea and run with it as far as they want. "Writing letters", for example, could mean exchanging love letters, or writing letters while angry, or letters that are never sent, letters that are ignored and re-discovered, learning to write, anything...!
-There would be the option of writing either two short fics of (minimum) 500 words, or combining the characters/prompts to write one longer fic of (minimum) 1000 words.
Here is an example of what a participant's list might look like:
1. Norway, Denmark - Rain
2. Denmark, Iceland - Writing letters
3. Iceland, Finland - Coffee
4. Denmark, Sweden - Borders
The person who received this list might, for example, decide to take prompts 3 and 4, and write two shortfics - one about Iceland and Finland sharing a personal moment together over coffee, and the other a historical fic dealing with the border changes between Sweden and Denmark over time (Scania, etc). Or, they might combine prompts 1 and 2, and put out a 1000-word fic set sometime during the 19th century about Denmark and Iceland writing letters to Norway together while it rains outside. (The artist's equivalent of this would be to somehow illustrate the two prompts in one go - be it through putting it all in one picture, or doing a comic, or whatever they want!)
Of course, these are just examples. (But I would totally read any of these, heh).
Ultimately, what I want to do is this:
-An easy, low-stress fest, which
-Gives plenty of options to write (or draw!) the Nordic characters in both common and uncommon combinations, with
-Plenty of opportunity to do gen or romance, modern or historical, family or friendship, according to the participant's whim, and
-Gives the option to write (or draw) as little or as much as the participant's time and desire allow, and ultimately
-Provides maximum freedom to do whatever the heck one wants within a few small guidelines.
There are probably some gaping flaws in the basic idea, though, so any input would be wonderful. Right now, I have three main questions -
-What would be a good time to have it? I don't want to do it when people are bogged down by essays and exams.
-Is 500 words too short for a minimum? I think it is reasonable because it is a minimum, and there is also the option of combining prompts and writing something with a minimum of 1000 words, but I would like more input on this.
-Is 4 pairs of characters to choose from too many? Too few? There are only 10 possible combinations of Nordic characters. I want the options to provide the challenge of writing less-common combinations without being too restraining.
-Is there anything else I haven't thought of?
Yuu. Fic writer & book lover. M/Canada.![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
Coffee from tumblr here
Date: 2012-02-23 06:18 pm (UTC)I love trying to write little family situations, so it would be fun to get promps.
perhaps there cna be an optional prompt if someone wants more of a challenge/more spesific stuff.
as in: they can choose to have someon choose the time period.
viking, kalmar union, modern times, AU etc etc.
?
Re: Coffee from tumblr here
Date: 2012-02-23 06:27 pm (UTC)Do you think it would be better to have the additional prompt assigned along with each individual character pair, I.E.
Denmark, Sweden - Borders [Option: 1500s]
or would it be better to have it as an entirely separate list, like this:
Optional prompts:
A. Viking period
B. 1500s
C. Post-1990
D. AU
And someone could mix-and-match or combine them according to how they see fit. :Va
Re: Coffee from tumblr here
Date: 2012-02-23 06:39 pm (UTC)but both versions work well.
perhaps a choice:
Finland, Norway - trials (time period A or D )
Re: Coffee from tumblr here
Date: 2012-02-23 07:15 pm (UTC)You're probably right, incorporated in as an additional (rather than just separate extras) sounds like it might be the best way.
I'm going to have to consider this a bit more *_* There certainly is plenty of time, anyway.
Re: Coffee from tumblr here
Date: 2012-02-24 06:52 pm (UTC)hope my little input is of some use at least XD
no subject
Date: 2012-02-23 08:42 pm (UTC)I also like what you and ravn90 are dicussing above. I think it would work beautifully.
If this ever becomes reality I SO WANT OT BE IN IT PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE. I'll also offer all my help, should it be needed in any form (I'd even make you tea if I was close enough for that).
no subject
Date: 2012-02-23 09:07 pm (UTC)I see what you're saying (both about minimum + number of prompts). Yeah, I think I'm convinced. Two at 500 is a pretty decent number. Picking from 3 would probably be too few, while five might be too many. And I suppose, if someone really wanted, they could write all 4 that they were given if they want to. There's no reason that they can't. ;p
To be honest, I really want to do this, and since I suspect it would be relatively uncomplicated, I think I will do it. It's just a matter of deciding exactly when to do it.
I have a feeling that it will be relatively small, so manageable for one person, but I'll be sure to ask if I need anything. ::Va You've written for a lot of things like this IIRC (fests/exchanges/whatever), so I might eventually end up picking your brain for ideas (like how long would be reasonable gap between people receiving prompts and then the finishing date) but that can be set aside for now.
no subject
Date: 2012-02-24 01:36 am (UTC)A good time to have it? Right now wouldn't be too terrible, though it's starting to creep into midterms for those who have school. Want to steer away from late April-mid May for the same reasons. Though I do wonder, if this event were to happen, what would the overall length of time be?
If you're worried about the amount of characters, there are a few possibilities that you could choose. You could add Ladonia and Sealand, or maybe Hanatamago and Puffin? If you want more characters and to keep it Nordic-centric, maybe allow
EstoniaOCs for Aland, Greenland and Faeroes?Also, another possibility is creating an option for those who would like to do Nordic + non-Nordic fanwork. The process would be the same as you have it already, just create a separate generator that would spit out non Nordic names. This option could be fun, since we don't often see a lot of work with the Nordics interacting outside of their circle.
Just a couple thoughts!
And again thanks for heading this project, Yuu. ;3;
no subject
Date: 2012-02-24 03:05 am (UTC)As for length of time, I'm not sure. For my own convenience's sake, I'd say 28 days. That's because it fits in well with the constraints of my work-cycle. Let's say things open on February 29th. Sign-ups would be open for... let's say a week; everything would be out and finalized by the 7th. Then people would have almost 3 weeks in which to write, if they want to use the entire length of time before submitting. Everything would have to be in by March 28th.
Does three weeks to write seem too long? It seems good to me - especially since sometimes people are busy - but I don't know... :Va
Regarding characters, I think that for the ones assigned, it'd probably be better to limit it to the main 5 in order to keep things simple (and easy for me). But I'll definitely make provisions in the guidelines that state that other characters (Sealand, Nordic-related OCs, or anyone at all) can definitely be included as long as the fic ultimately focuses mostly on the assigned characters.
The Nordic/Not-Nordic idea sounds cool! Because we don't get much of that, either. On the other hand, I like the limit of keeping it to the Nordic 5, because there's a lot in that area that just isn't explored, too.
Now, let's see... that said, I don't know. But if I did include a not-Nordic option, I think the easiest way to do it would be to include it in the generator as a 6th option (I'll be using a random number generator), and there will be the chance of it coming up, but it won't be guaranteed. It won't be a specific character, but a wild-card - "any Hetalia character of your choice". Kind of like the blank square in Scrabble. It's easier for me and it provides a little more flexibility.
Alternately, I could always do a Nordic & Not-Nordic version of the fest at a later date, which might be interesting. :Va It's something to think about, anyway.
no subject
Date: 2012-02-25 05:03 am (UTC)The length of time seems good too. Give people too long to sign up and you'll get procrastination, so a little sense of urgency is good. A week will be enough time to get the word out. Same if you give them more than three weeks. With the three weeks idea, even if someone does have some midterm stuff to work on, they still will have some time to complete their entry.
I do like the wild card idea, it's less restraining on the author than a random generator. Especially if they accidentally ended up with a character they didn't have a grasp for! I still really like the idea of having that option available just to see what would come out of it. Sheer curiosity and all.
Though if you wanted to attempt a separate Nordic & Not-Nordic Fest, maybe gauge the possibilities on the successes of this one? (Which I'm sure will do great - a lot of people seem excited for it!)
no subject
Date: 2012-02-25 05:11 am (UTC)Still on the fence as to whether I'll include the wild card option. I'll waffle about it for another day or two, heh.
Re: Nordic & Not-Nordic fest, yep, that sounds like a good plan. Use this one to judge whether to do that one. A good handful seem interested, but I'm not entirely sure about the size/state of the fandom right now (both in general and with Nordic fans specifically). Since I'll be advertising it on both Tumblr and LJ (main comm + kalmarunionen), hopefully there'll be people from both areas, which'll bring up the numbers a bit more than if it were just LJ.
Derp here.
Date: 2012-02-25 03:04 am (UTC)That is all.
Oh no wait. Get Clara in on it. That is all.
Re: Derp here.
Date: 2012-02-25 05:11 am (UTC)I'll try to prod Clara into finding time for it, too.