Help me plan a Thing

[sholio]

The prompt fests have been so much fun this year that I'm thinking about doing an end-of-year one and creating a collection on AO3 that's hidden until New Year when it can be revealed. Sort of combining the anticipation of anonymous gift exchanges with the free-for-all, low-pressure nature of a prompt fest.

Basically though, I need to figure out how to get the prompts in. I don't know if anyone has seen or dealt with AO3's prompt interface, but it's kinda clunky. Equinox Exchange is an example of what it looks like if you want to take a look. You also can only submit prompts by doing a signup, which implies a higher level of commitment than I really want.

I figure this could go three ways:

- Prompts entirely on AO3
- Prompts on both AO3 and DW
- Prompts on DW, collection on AO3

So I need to figure that out (I'm thinking both sounds best to me, for maximum participation, unless you guys think it would end up confusing, e.g. people putting the same prompt in both places). I'm thinking about allowing a small number of DNWs just because the prompt interface on AO3 makes this feel more like a gift, whereas with the typical DW promptfest style, you're writing mostly for yourself.

No one is guaranteed a gift. It's mostly just for fun. Essentially it would be like a normal prompt fest except with the "reveals" aspect for a little extra anticipation.

Thoughts?

Comments

[minoanmiss]

I would recommend Prompts on DW, collection on AO3. using the strengths of each platform.

(also this sounds awesome!)

[yhlee]

Agreed that this sounds awesome, and that prompts on DW, collection on AO3 sounds like a good compromise!

[gloss]

I think prompts in one place, maybe fills accepted on both? I like including some dnws, too, that's a great idea. All of this is a great idea!

[goddess47]

I'm for the prompts on DW, fills on AO3 option...

Is this pan-fandom? Would prompts be fandom independent? Just to make sure we're on the same page! Sounds like fun!

[sovay]

Sort of combining the anticipation of anonymous gift exchanges with the free-for-all, low-pressure nature of a prompt fest.

That sounds like fun and I am also Team DW Prompt, AO3 Collection just because it sounds like less of a pain in the ass than dealing with the AO3 prompt interface.

[sheron]

I think Stony fandom does it as a "Community Gift" thing, where you have a list of prompts in a spreadsheet on google docs and people post fills to the community on AO3. It works quite well!

ETA: Anyway, regardless of what you go with, it's a fun idea and I love the anon reveal aspect at the end.

[yalumesse]

Prompts on DW, collection on AO3 would be my choice, as long everyone who wants in is on DW. If it's not too hard to have prompts on AO3 as well, no reason not to, as long as it's clearly cross-linked so everyone can find everything.

(I won't be joining in though.)

[kore]

This sounds neat!

I agree with everyone else on DW prompts/AO3 collection.

[brightknightie]

FWIW, if you do this, I will try to participate, if I can. I'll be done with my exchange story by then, of course, and will have time off for the holidays.

Good luck!