bossymarmalade: sparkly kirkpatrick & timberlake (every couple i've ever loved)
miss maggie ([personal profile] bossymarmalade) wrote2007-02-10 02:37 pm
Entry tags:

We Invented The Remix 5 -- Signups

It is with great delight that I would like to present:





Post your signup in the comments to this post!

What's this all about?

    * Ever read a fic and think, wow, what a fascinating story, but if I had written it, I would have... Well, now here's your chance to do just that. Rewrite someone else's story, tell somebody else's tale. Take the work of another person and wrap it up in your vision and style, just like a remixer does to songs.


So just take another person's story and change everything?

    * Yes and no. You can do whatever you like to the story - change POV, dialogue, mood, characterization, make it longer or shorter, whatever - except for three things: pairing(s), setting(s), and the basic plotline.


Why can't I change ____?

    * Basic plotline is fairly obvious, I think. If you change the plot, then you're really not writing the same story, right? This doesn't mean you can't change little things, adding or deleting things as you see fit. For example, if you were rewriting The Little Mermaid, you might decide to give the mermaid a best friend who's a fish and a guardian who's a lobster, things that weren't in the original story. But you would keep the sea witch and the fact that the mermaid loses her voice because those are essential to the story. Of course, what are and aren't essential plot points is purely subjective, but I trust people will be able to decide what to do.

    * I had several people ask about being able to change the pairing(s) and after thinking long and hard about it, I've decided it'd be best to keep the pairing(s) as is. While this can certainly be argued, I think once you change who the story is about, you're pretty much writing a new story and contrary to popular belief, that's not what this challenge is about. It's about reinterpreting a story that's already been told. So, no, you cannot change the pairing(s) in the story.

    * If you like, you can turn non-AU stories into AUs. Whatever works for you, baby!


All right. So then we can choose any story we want to rewrite?

    * Not just any story. Each participant will be assigned a writer (who will be a fellow participant and chosen at random) and must choose a story from that writer. You can choose any story written by the person you are assigned except for whichever fic they designate as their safe story (to be explained below) and stories that are nothing more than smut. Not that you can't choose a smutty story to rewrite, just not one that is one long sex scene. After all, where's the challenge in rewriting that?

And just in case it's not common-sense, don't pick a series that's unfinished. It's not fair to the original author or the readers to have someone else come up with an ending.


I'm still confused. We're just writing someone else's story?

    * *Rewriting*. I don't want you to just change a line here and there. Be creative. Have fun. Make a mess if you want. Remember, it's a *challenge*. Don't make it too easy on yourself.


And these are only nsync stories?

    * Nope. This is mainly a SDBfic challenge, but stories focusing on Britney, Wade, or anyone else associated with BSB or nsync are okay, too.


So what the hell is a safe story?

    * It's the one story that you don't want anyone messing with, for whatever reason. And no, you don't have to have one. If you're cool with somebody rewriting *any* of your stories, go for it!


Do I have to have a website?

    * Yes, because otherwise, how will we find your stories? You don't need your *own* website; hosted fics are fine as long as they're all on the same site. Stories posted to Livejournal are okay as long as there is some sort of index or listing for them, making them easily accessible. Stories posted only to message boards and/or mailing lists are ineligible because access to those are often limited.


I've only written a few stories. Can I still play?

    * As long as you have a minimum of five stories (not including your safe story) and they're not drabbles or PWPs, then you can.


But what if the story that was remixed last year gets remixed again?

    * oooh, good point. Thanks for bringing it up. Technically, there are three safe stories: the one you choose, the one that was remixed last year, and the one you remixed. So keep that in mind, my dear remixers: you can't remix a story that's been remixed already, and you can't remix a remix.


What if I've co-written with someone?

    * If you have someone you co-write with regularly and the two of you wish to sign up for the challenge together, you will be counted as one participant and only the stories you have written together are eligible. If you regularly co-write with someone but only one of you signs up, then your co-written stories are off-limits. The same goes if both of you sign up but separately.

This does not mean you can sign up by yourself and with a co-writer. Choose one or the other.


Hi, this is Sucky McSucksalot and I skipped out on last year's challenge. Can I still play?

    * ...no.


Are there any sort of deadlines?

    * Why yes, there are!
People can sign up for the challenge until 11:59 PM PST February 19.
Assignments will be handed out on February 21.
And then the stories aren't due until 11:59 PM PST May 7, which is a Monday.


When will the stories be put up then?

    * I would like to have them up by May 14 and have the authors revealed May 25.


Oh yeah? What if I miss the deadline? Then what're you gonna do?

    * Well, I'm not going to hound you for the story. I've got better things to do. But I'm not putting up any of the stories until I have all of them. And when people ask me, "Hey, why aren't the stories up?", I'll point them to the site, which will have the names and email addresses of everyone who's late, and say, "Because of those people."


That's kind of mean.

    * Why, yes, yes it is.


Once stuff gets underway, please feel free to consult the We Invented the Remix 5 website to check the FAQ or see who else is participating!

Now, here is what I need from you to sign up in the comments to this post, using me as an example:

Your Name: stubbleglitter ([livejournal.com profile] stubbleglitter
Your email address: maggiecat @ subreality.com
Your website/fic index: http://boudicca.com/unaware/maggie.html
Safe Story: None!
Remix(es) Written: What Has Been (the has been remix), Thirty Days (the readermix), Stop (the emoticon mix), Mirror Image (the ovid clubmix)
Stories of yours remixed in past remixes: Just a Figment, Breakfast, 21, Keep Pounding Rhythm
Pinch-Hit?: Yes!


Pinch Hitting
* Pinch hitters are the oft-unsung heroes of every ficathon. We adore pinch hit remixers, and are always happy to add you to the list. If you cannot participate due to not meeting the requirements or other ficathon commitments, but would be willing to get a frantic email and turn around a story in two or three days' time (or sometimes more, since some people are conscientious even in dropping out, and let me know early), please leave a comment to that effect, as well, listing the fandoms in which you are willing to pinch hit in. Please put "Pinch hitter" in the subject line of your comment, and please include a contact email so I can get hold of you when the time comes.

Now, sign up, my darlings! I am looking forward to a bountiful crop of remixes this year, especially as the due date is so far away. *g*

Post a comment in response:

This account has disabled anonymous posting.
If you don't have an account you can create one now.
HTML doesn't work in the subject.
More info about formatting

If you are unable to use this captcha for any reason, please contact us by email at support@dreamwidth.org