Dammit

[beelikej]

I've learned not to rant in public right away, but I'm so fucking upset (and actually close to tears) that I just have to share this to get it out of my system. I'm not out to insult other people or discourage participation, but I'm very disappointed and am feeling left out. I probably can't even explain it properly and I've already understood it's just me, but whatever.

Today there was finally a sign of life from the spn_reversebang. I'm thrilled the challenge is still a go, but already nervous about the possible issues that led to the delay. Obviously with the late set up, the schedule was moved as well. I just don't get why there has to be even more time added in between the reveal and a posting schedule and then another six weeks on top of that until actual posting?
To me it feels like all the extra days that were added are catering to authors, once again ignoring that this is essentially an artist's challenge. Far be it from me to dismiss the work of authors, but it's not a BigBang and stories only need to be 3,000 words.

I know there are a lot of other challenges in December, but this has always been the one podium where I could display my own idea, my input instead of being prompted or inspired by a story, summary or film. I also know that at the end most of the response still goes to the fic and not the art, but I've mostly accepted that.

Despite marvelous collaborations in the past, I am just not sure I can keep my and the author's interest going through such a stretched out schedule. The dates clash with my own agenda and it takes a very dedicated collaboration on both sides to make it work for me this time. I'm contemplating not signing up to avoid the hassle. This makes me immensely sad.

I'm still going to work on my artproject, it just might have to do without an additional story.

Comments

[tmn1966.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

Oh, bb, I'm so sorry! ReverseBang is one of my favorite challenges, and of course, special to me because that's where I got to work with you!

It'll be weird not having you involved in it this year, but I understand your reasons if you decide not to. Such a shame because your artwork is always so creative and awesome.

*hugs you again*

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

I've calmed down a bit since yesterday (not in the least thanks to your lovely present;) but I'm still bummed about the inconvenient schedule. I'm really not sure if I can play this round. I've decided to carry on with my arts & crafts plans and just see how I feel the week before sign ups close.

Hugs are much appreciated *clings*

[cassiopeia7.livejournal.com]

Oh, bb. You're making me sad. :(

I definitely get what you're saying about the schedule -- authors have more than twice as much time to pound something out as artists -- but I strongly suspect that's due to the timing of the challenge. Besides, since two of the mods are artists themselves who know what kind of second-citizen crap we artists are subjected to, I sincerely doubt they did it to cater to the authors. What it comes down to is the fact that people will need more time around the holidays, artists AND authors.

Collaboration-wise, every challenge is a crapshoot, no matter what the timing of the event. Last year, I submitted two pieces. One was claimed by an author who was beyond fabulous and one the best collaborators I ever had. The other was claimed by someone who couldn't be bothered to send me so much as a paragraph until three days before our post date.

Because of the timing, I probably won't be able to do two pieces this year, which means that my primary piece -- which I am rather invested in -- now has a better than 50% chance of being claimed by an author who doesn't give a crap lacks the dedication to write a decent story.

So I'm worried too, just for different reasons.

ETA: Did you see? They've pushed back the art submission deadline to October 21st! We get an extra week to create. :D

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

I'm just very disappointed that the schedule doesn't suit my way of working, because I'm selfish like that. Personally I thrive by having less time and a tight timeline.

I have had an awful RB experience in the past and that was really all due to the author getting too much time to fuck about, aiming for a longer story than was necessary and pushing their own abilities over the edge in the process. Maybe that's why I'm so sensitive about this;) But I've mostly had great collaborations and it is my favorite challenge, so...

I've decided to carry on with my arts & crafts plans and see how I feel the week before sign ups close.

Thanks for your comment!

[sillie]

*hugs*

I get what you're saying, and I must admit I'm def. miffed that writers are getting more time then the artist do (especially since I still have to start working on my art. Idea's are not really popping up much these days for me... :/).

If you decide not to join, I'd totally understand. I think I will, although I'm not sure yet if I will submit one or two pieces of art.

If you need to vent more, my mailbox is always open. :)

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

It's the one challenge I brainstorm for all year around and I've been collection materials to work with for the past few weeks, even when we didn't know if it would still be organized this year.

Whether I will be able to participate or not, I've decided to carry on with my arts & crafts plans anyway. I'll see how I feel the week before sign ups close whether I can deal with a complicated collaboration. If not, then I'll just share the result privately.

Thanks for your support! *hugs*

[maichan.livejournal.com]

I'll leave you a comment here, too. I've just been added to the mod team for spn_reversebang (almost an entirely new group from last year). Given the late start, pushing back the same schedule from last year would have put posting in the month of December and rough drafts right before Thanksgiving. After feedback from both artists and writers, posting was pushed back to early January. The schedule was then extended for artists, writers, and pinch hitters alike. We've actually pushed back the art submission deadline by a week since you saw the schedule as well.

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

Thanks for replying to my other comment and for coming over here with additonal information:) I didn't respond right away, because I was really upset yesterday and didn't want to run the risk of saying the wrong thing.

I've calmed down since then, but am still not sure if I'll be able to deal with the stretched out schedule. Like I said: things are even more complicated because I will be out of the country and out of touch exactly when an author may need me.

I appreciate your explanation and reassurance that a late postingdate could be arranged. The ReverseBang is my favorite challenge and I've been looking forward to it since I finished the BigBang. I was ready to go and now it just feels like I have to wait even longer;)

Yet I don't want to inconvenience an enthused author, so I've decided to carry on with my arts & crafts plans and see how I feel the week before sign ups close.

I really love all the (new) mods for getting things started, so whatever happens I wish you a marvelous challenge!

[spnreversemod.livejournal.com]

We really hope you'll participate, but best of luck with your arts & crafts either way.