Lost Fic Awards Categories poll

[halfdutch.livejournal.com]

HI guys, I figured this was a good time to check in and see if the current fic categories are working for everyone before we start on the next round of nominations. If there's an option I haven't covered, please feel free to leave your ideas in comments.

The illustrious former mod, hkath, ended up streamlining and combining a lot of these categories for a reason: People just weren't nominating enough fics in each of the categories like "Best Kiss" to make them viable each month, but if you would like to see them come back, possibly every few months, that could happen.

And if you are perfectly pleased with the status quo, please speak up!


[Poll #1004512]

Comments

[zelda-zee.livejournal.com]

I think ideally cross-overs should be in their own category, because they are quite different from other types of Lost fic and I can't really judge them in the same way, if you know what I mean. Leaving AUs and futurefics together seems okay to me. Though there might not be enough x-overs to warrant a separate category, so maybe they need to be grouped with other categories, even if it's an awkward fit.

I probably should have checked bringing back a Mod's Choice category each month. I do think it'd be nice to have some of those other categories - kiss, sex scene, dialogue, etc - from time to time, I just think it's too much to have them all on a monthly basis.

[halfdutch.livejournal.com]

It's interesting, but sometimes crossovers end up getting nommed in regular categories, like NC-17 het. Which works out pretty well since there don't seem to be that many NC-17 het fics to choose from each round. There aren't really that many Lost crossovers each month either, really. It kind of goes in waves. Maybe we should combine those two categories! j/k But I know what you mean about them being considered on their own. It could be the kind of thing that if there aren't enough nominations, it could roll over until the next month although that would be a pain to keep track of.

I was thinking Mod's Choice (such as "Best Fic Featuring an Other" or something) would be different from the "Best Kiss," etc. ones. When there was a kissing prompt one day at Lost Riffs, then it was really easy to nominate for that subcategory - but hard to vote! I don't think it would work every month to have all of those but I thought I'd throw it out there to see if anyone is desperately missing some of those.

[isis2015.livejournal.com]

I agree with zelda_zee, that cross-overs should probably be it's own category (if there are enough fics to warrant such a thing). I get the feeling that it was put in with AUs and Future Fics because there weren't enough noms for any on their own, but together, there were. But now, I think, there are plenty of AU and Future fics to get along with it's own category (which can probably remain one category). I think that her point that they aren't really the same things and are hard to judge against one another is a very good one. Plus (selfishly) sometimes, depending on the font, I can barely get that name to fit on the banner. ;)

I also really like the idea or rotating some of the old categories that got cut in and out each month, as well as the monthly special category. I really liked categories like 'Best Kiss' and so on because they were kinda different, and having a new one every month might kinda spice things up a bit.

The idea of having a 'Best Drabble' category is also intriguing. I like that. I've seen quite a few popping up these days. And, if we give it a try and there aren't enough, we can always use it as one of those categories that we rotate in and out.

[halfdutch.livejournal.com]

I don't think there are that many crossovers being written every month ... maybe it can be every other month? If it's not too annoying, I think rotating stuff is the way to go to accommodate all this and not burn anyone out with too many categories.

And Best Drabble is getting a lot of votes! I think we should definitely give it a try!

[gottalovev.livejournal.com]

I'd love to see best drabble. and as said before me, could be intersting to separate the x-overs, as it's hard to judge them with the fics where it's only Lost characters.

I feel obligated to nominate and vote in each category, so if there is too many of them, it becomes overwhelming. so the special categories really should not be present that often but it could be fun (maybe in a rotation? one a month?)

[halfdutch.livejournal.com]

I think we're going to be rotating some of the categories in and out so no one gets overwhelmed! :) Thanks for your input! And I think Best Drabble is a go!

[jenthegypsy.livejournal.com]

Perhaps you could consider splitting the FF/AU/Xover category if, in a particular month, the nominations are top heavy in one area? FF is all the rage now, because it has become canon and there was just too much juicy, angsty material presented in the finale. If there were 5 or 6 FF nominated, along with several AU/Xover's combined, maybe you as mod could make the decision to split the category that month? Same would go with OT3/Unusual Pairing. At your discretion, as it were.

I also like the idea of rotating the "Special" categories. If you cycled through the existing list, one each month, then throughout the year each would be presented 3 times.

Drabble category? Hell, yes! You would have to set parameters - true 100 word drabbles only, or would double/triple drabbles also be allowed? Lots of folks responded to the Drabble Challenges earlier this year with exceptional offerings. Those get lost in the shadows of the "big" fic at awards time, so I'm solidly behind the new category. As isis2015 said, if there isn't enough interest, you can always remove or stagger it.

I'm also all for the return of the monthly "Mod's Choice" category. That was always a fun, interesting section to read through.

Sorry for the ramble... Thanks again, and in advance, for taking the reins here and keeping this comm alive!

[halfdutch.livejournal.com]

I agree, future fic is indeed huge, while crossovers are far and few between.

I think rotating is the way to go for the extra categories, so there aren't too many each month.

Good question about the drabbles. I know writing double or triple drabbles is pretty popular. What do you think? I'm inclined to allow it, as long as it's not an entire fic composed of drabbles, so, three would be the limit, if that seems fair.

And I already have an idea for the "Mod's Choice." :)

And I'm hoping I can keep this up. I know other mods have come and gone and gotten burned out!

[jenthegypsy.livejournal.com]

Up to a triple drabble seems like a fair cut off. You may have to specify that 300 words would be the limit - because the challenge of any form of drabble is the self-editing down and down and down to the exact word count. That's what makes the single drabble such fun! But yeah, double, double and a half, triple - they're all good far as I'm concerned.

I'm hoping you can keep it up, too. I'm sure the Newsletter takes quite a bit of time (it's such a wonderful device!) and none of us wants you to burn out, either! You aren't shy about asking for help, are you? I know quite a few of us would be willing to lend a hand when needed. :)

Yay for your fertile brain cells, already coming up with a Mod's Choice! I'll be excited to see the changes which come with the next list of nominating categories - and thanks again for taking up the gauntlet!

[halfdutch.livejournal.com]

I think that's a great idea: 300 word limit on the drabbles. *nods* Thanks!

I will indeed ask for help if I need it. Thanks, hon! ♥

[alemyrddin.livejournal.com]

I think the idea of rotating some categories is the best one, in order to accommodate everyone. And it could be fun to try and look for particular fics every now and then.
and... I just noticed that you had already posted the new cathegories...yay for the drabbles then!
:)