[Viv]

Okay, I know I do this all the time: when a forum thread drifts a certain way (for instance, there was a "Why aren't there more fics about dwarves?" thread a while back), I start recommending fics left and right, replete with links and squees.

However, I've noticed, especially lately, that mostly the same half-dozen fics get recommended over and over. These are often really good fics and deserve the notoriety, but I've been wondering if all the writers who haven't penned those half-dozen aren't feeling a little ... left out.

So, is fic-pimping on an unrelated thread a good thing or a self-confidence buster? Or do people whose fics aren't rec'd a lot just not reading in the forum anyway?

[JaneDoe]

I dunno. I'm of two minds about this. On the one hand, it is nice to see your work appreciated and given more exposure by word of mouth without the author saying, "Look what I wrote!" However, I'm also a stickler for staying on-topic as much as possible and letting the stories speak for themselves.

You could start sticky threads that link to fics of a certain type or create a forum specifically for the purpose of pimping specific stories. To make it easier for readers to determine if they'd be interested in something, you could organize them according to subject matter (like Gandalf romance, Dwarf smut, etc.).

If you are concerned about giving other authors the time of day while sharing your favorites, you still have a few options. First is to allow a story to be recommended only once within a single thread. This cuts down on "me too" posts and helps equalize the exposure that certain authors and stories get. Second is to disallow naming the author or using what is known about the author to promote their stories. This keeps focus on the stories rather than the authors. If naming and recognizing the author is important to you, you may wish to have only one story recommended within a single thread. This helps keep prolific fanfic authors and rare fanfic authors on equal footing.

I hope this helps some.

[SpaceWeavil]

I'm not really sure if I can reply to this without sounding hypocritical. I'm aware I'm a major offender when it comes to self-promoting (though actually as of yesterday I made a resolution never to do so again as I know how bad it is, and I apologise for doing so so frequently lately). And I am also aware (and flattered) that my fics have been mentioned a bit recently.

Maybe the solution is to have recommendations only in dedicated threads, which ought not to be sidetracked like the SSP and ESSP ones have been? And in that you could have the one rec per fic rule? I do like the idea of having it by subject matter, like the dwarf fic thing.

I have to admit I've never really thought much about the rec threads etc (but again people might just say 'well you've been mentioned, so you can't talk') but seeing other people's fics recommended never really bothered me. Personally, (when I'm not promoting my own stuff - see above, not going to do anymore ) I only mention stories that I am genuinely impressed with, not because the authors are my friends or because everyone else is promoting them. If I come across a lesser known fic that I think is good, I will mention it, (which I have done on the SSP thread).

I liked the Spotlight thing on the front page and I like the Story of the Day because they bring up lesser known fics that I might not have found, although I do tend to trawl through the archive a lot when I'm avoiding doing uni work (as I am doing now).

Like I said, I really don't know what to suggest with this. It's not something I've given much thought.

[Yavanie]

so would this somehow be separate from when a newbie asks about what kind of story they like? I mean, if they like elves and want to know about good elf stories we can't name a current favorite but send them to the "I reccomend these elf stories" thread?

[Viv]

I don't think it's a problem, the rec'ing. I have to admit to getting a visceral squee when my stuff gets a mention.

I'm just concerned that we're all reading each other and rec'ing each other ... it's not very inclusive. I mean, there are really good writers on this site whose stuff doesn't get rec'd very often. I wonder if they aren't sitting there and waiting, patiently, for the rest of us to give them a sniff.

Or maybe I'm just making things up in my head (always a possibility).

Self-promotion I think is entirely different from the rec'ing I'm talking about. Years ago when I hung out at HASA, the list was predominantly SSP, so I figure that's an accepted and even venerated part of LoTRfic culture.

[SpaceWeavil]

[ghettoelleth]

And soon, no drinking and no talking...

[Viv]

[Yavanie]

how about a rec thread for little known/mentioned but real gems?

maybe like the drabble challenge in that the thread could have a theme, like Gil-Galad. then everyone could post their recommendations and, later, when the posts drop off, a new theme could get started.

might be a way of sparking interest in the lesser know jewels hidden here.

my two cents

[ghettoelleth]

Well, there was a brief moment in time when the newbies were flocking into the newbie forum cuz it was relaxed and fun and groovy. That was in between the "scournful disdain for newbies as a species" era and this odd new game of, "I can turn that completely innocent, utterly innocuous statement around to look like a personal attack on me, in five notes." Example...You made an observation, my loverly Vivvekins, that perhaps we should keep the pimpin' in the pimpin' threads. Between the time you posted and this moment, no less than four people have asked me, 'do you think they mean me?' Now, I AM the pimp, , and everyone knows this peeps, and yet I have somehow managed not to think that you have lost your mind and decided today I am the enemy and you will smite me with a craftily veiled forum thread. Frankly, if my name's not specifically mentioned in flashing red letters, I'm pretty much assuming that you're making an innocent observation about a general trend. Same with the out of hand avvie issue. Why is this happening? I am at a loss. Last time I looked, we were all pretty good pals having some fun, doing the fic action and just being generally

Maybe it's true, perhaps familiarity really does breed contempt. I'd like to think that this is not so, however. I prefer to believe that familiarity allows me to know better than to assume that every offhand remark is a personal attack on someone, every naked avvie posted is designed to incite, and every general statement about using common sense and being respectful of other's is an indication that I am not wanted or disliked. I hope most of you know that the same is true of anything I say. If I have a personal issue with any one person, I guarantee that person's name will be all over the stated issue and it certainly won't be posted in an OSA forum for general gawkering, (it is so a word, Nancy).

I hope this new trend ends soon so we can get back to the good ole days of outrageous, off topic meanderings and fun banter of...like last week, cuz this is getting really old. I can also pretty much guaran damn tee you that this idea of, we should have a rule for this and a rule for that, isn't gonna wash. I believe I actually heard Scribe and Do groan from here. How about we all lighten up and/or be considerate and use general common sense. I for one know that i can use a bit of work in both areas.

BTW Viv, I do agree, the pimpin' was getting a bit one sided, ergo Big Pimpin' is on hiatus with Boz in Bequia for the next nine months. Hangin' out by the pool with an eye patch, a peg leg and an enormous macaw crapping on his shoulder, telling garrish jokes about bottoms between shooters of Cap'n Morgan.

There, how's that for topical?

Now let's get back to having fun, before I am reduced to some really lame beer commercial drivel about how much I love you guys.

[ghettoelleth]

And that is a great suggestion Ya! Why haven't you started that thread? (I will refrain from stealing your idea and starting it myself, but not indefinately )

[Viv]

[Viv]

[ghettoelleth]

Well, you're my pretty lil Vivvehkins dork and its a wonderful thing you started this topic. No regrets, no refusals (ha, guess what movie). I'll take the feet, I can draw mustaches on the toes. I'll give Ya a bit to initiate the thread before commencing to harrass her. I think I'm going to start a MacGuyver game, ME style thread so I'll just return your thread to you (after spiffing it up with a moist towelette of course).

xxx