Revenge of the Exchange Bears

[rheasilvia]

I have now identified the five characteristic phases of my fanworks exchange experience. The process has been the same in all documented cases, so I consider it established fact.

Phase 1: False Confidence.

This seems doable! Sure, so far I have no ideas (and no time to write, either). But, hey! What could possibly go wrong?

Phase 2: Mad Writing.

Annoyingly, time keeps on passing. But no worries: I have an idea! And who needs sleep, anyway. It will work out - it's going to be a short story, after all.

Phase 3: Dramatic Despair!

WHY IS THIS NOT A SHORT STORY. WHYYYY.

Phase 4: A New Hope.

New plan: We're going with an entirely different story! And this one will be short!! Honest! I really mean it this time! (*insert crazed laughter here*)

Phase 5: Ohmygod Look At The Time.

It is done!! Is this story fit to be read and enjoyed by human beings? I have no idea! Is it short? Uhm, kind of? Where will I find the time to edit it? Muahahahaaaa!


Does this sound familiar to you? Or are you among those enviably organized creators who master exchanges with minimal BEARS, and might even juggle several exchanges at the same time?


(This post brought to you by the fact that my sundial_exchange assignment is due on the 18th - this Saturday! Fortunately, I should be able to edit it for another week after I've added it to the AO3 collection, so the situation isn't as dire as it could be. But still.)

Comments

[xparrot]

My Sundial story is actually not too far off from my projected wordcount (like, it should be less than double it? that's amazing for me!)...so far. Seeing as it's not quite done yet...

Fortunately, I should be able to edit it for another week after I've added it to the AO3 collection,

The hope upon which all my ambitions rest, at this point! ^^;;; How is it already Tuesday!? How are these characters still talking!?

[teaotter]

We can edit for another week!?! *checks timeline* *falls over with relief*

I am definitely fully in Phase 5 right now. Where did the time go???

[china_shop]

Phase 4: A New Hope.

I see what you did there! :D :D :D

I have too much fear of Phase 3 (or never quite making it to Phase 2) to sign up for exchanges, most of the time.

Good luck!! *\o/*

[asya_ana]

This sounds very familiar to me, although I don't typically have the overwriting problem, more the errr underwriting problem. I think in my case it's really a 3-step process: the first is joyous enthusiasm about signing up; the second is yay my recipient and their wonderful prompt; the third is straight to despair.

YOU'D THINK I'D LEARN.

[mekare]

I feel your pain. Some exchanges go well, and some go a bit like you described. This one certainly has for me!

[extrapenguin]

It is done!! Is this story fit to be read and enjoyed by human beings? I have no idea!
This is the exchange writer's eternal lament! (Or perhaps any writer's - it's not like my exchange feelings are that different from my regular feelings.)

My sundial fic only needs a few paragraphs more and is in fact a bit shorter than I projected, so I decided I'll sign up for the Worldbuilding Exchange, and headed off to nominate. *g* Wish me luck?

[abyss_valkyrie]

LOOOOL!!!I've had this happen before when I used to take on many things or even just two because...false confidence! XD Mostly had to get extensions but in the end I managed,somehow! HOW DO PEOPLE CREATE WITH MINIMAL BEARS?!O_o

[akk]

Actually, I've given up on challenges / exchanges. I found them entirely frustrating, because you get or choose a prompt and a deadline that never gives enough time to research things, never accounts for all those beautiful plot bunnies that are sparked by - but unfortunately totally unrelated to - the initial prompt, and thus I end up writing a story out of necessity (because I promised) and not because I want to tell that tale at that point. It too often resulted in something I consider mediocre for my standards at best - and thus in something too close to cheap cheating. Since writing should be fun and not make you feel awful... :)

[solo]

And this is why I don't do exchanges.

Phase 4: A New Hope.

You needed one called Phantom Menace in there.

ETA: if you'd like a beta, buddy, I'm here.

[dancing_serpent]

I never even reach Phase 1! *g*

[trobadora]

This is so spot on! *hides from the BEARS*

[lauand]

I don't think I've ever entered an exchange I didn't submit late my story for. (Awkward grammar is awkward. I fail at English.)

In any case, PHASE THREE, MAN, PHASE THREE.

I'm working on a story that, 15K words ago I thought was 3K away of being completely finished. Now I think I might need 10K more and it's still growing and growing... Just to give you a reference, my average wordcount used to be around 1.5K. What the hell.

[geeklover80]

Generally speaking, I get to Phase 1 and that's about it. I'll have a lot of ideas, but actual writing (if it happens) is veeeery slow. Unfortunately, unlike you, I don't even finish on time. I either have to ask for a bunch of extensions or - lately - I haven't ended up finishing at all.

Most of the time, I usually participate in maybe two exchanges/fests at once. This December, it was actually around three at the same time. But, usually, the deadlines for the fests, or at different times.

Stacey

[marycrawford]

Heh, that sounds familiar. Here's mine: The Stages of Writing a Story

[tinny]

I think this is normal!

My highest goal is to never write against a deadline. Making art against a deadline is much much easier. The characters don't talk, for one thing. :D

But if everyone thought like me, there would be no more exchanges and fewer stories. So: go you!