2010 Timeline, Rules and FAQ
Timeline:
Thursday, March 25- start sign-ups
Thursday, April 29- writers' sign-ups end, first author check in (5K)
Thursday, May 27- second check in (10K); artist sign-ups end
Thursday, June 24- rough draft due and story summaries due (15K)
Saturday, June 26- story summaries go up for artists to select from
Saturday, July 24 - final drafts and art due
Monday, July 26 - posting begins
Rules for Authors:
1 - You are required to write 15,000 words. There is no upper limit.
2 - WIPs are allowed, as long as they are less than 3,000 words.
3 - We allow crossovers within the franchise, so you may write each individual show as well as CSI/CSI: Miami, CSI/CSI: NY, CSI: Miami/CSI: NY and CSI/CSI: Miami/CSI: NY. We do not allow crossovers with other shows.
4 - Up to two people may write a single fic for the challenge. No more than two people to a fic, though.
5 - You may write more than one story.
6 - There are two check-ins, and if you do not check in at those times you will not be allowed to finish your participation in the challenge.
7 - The story summary should include a short description of your story, pairings involved, and necessary warnings. This doesn't have to be what you stick in the header, it's what the artists will be seeing and basing their claims on. Story summaries will be given a number and posted anonymously, so artists won't know which author they're doing art for until after the claiming is over (in order to avoid bias).
8 - The rough draft you hand in on June 17 does not need to be polished or betaed. It does need to have an ending or enough of an ending for your artist to have something to work with.
9 - Stories may not be posted elsewhere until after they have gone live at the csi_bigbang. Stories must be beta-read prior to posting.
Rules for Artists/Mixers/Vidders:
1 - You must make at least one graphic, fanmix, or video for each fic you take on. You are more than welcome to make more, but there is a one item minimum.
2 - Fanmixes must be at least 10 songs and no more than 15. Vids should be at least 30 seconds. Art may be in any medium you want, any size you want within reason (authors are working for three months on these stories; making just one icon for them is a little uncool).
3 - You do not need to host your own art if you don't wish. The mods can make hosting arrangements; please contact us if necessary.
4 - Artists will not be assigned this year, but will have the chance to select the fic they want to create art for. Story summaries will be given a number and posted anonymously, so artists won't know which author they're doing art for until after the claiming is over (in order to avoid bias).
Rules for Betas and Cheerleaders:
1 - No bashing of fics. Constructive criticism only.
2 - Betas and Cheerleaders will not be assigned this year, but will be available in the beta and cheerleader pools to be contacted by authors who may need assistance.
Rules for Everyone:
1 - To participate you must fill out the appropriate form (writer, graphics artists/vidders, beta or cheerleader). You are allowed to sign up for more than one thing (ie. you can sign up as a writer and a beta).
2 - You have until June 19th (when stories get matched with art) to let us know that you're withdrawing from the Big Bang. Dropping out after that (barring emergency) will disqualify you from participating in the next round. If you withdraw before then, you're welcome to continue to participate in the Big Bang as a beta/cheerleader/artist. Regardless of when you withdraw, you must contact the mods (via email at csibigbang@gmail.com or via a mod post) to let us know that you won't be continuing to avoid disqualification.
FAQS:
What is a Big Bang?
A Big Bang Challenge is one where you write a long fic (in this case 15,000 words), which artists then create illustrations or vids for. When all is said and done, the goal is to have great long fic and art added to the fandom. Win/win, yes?
Are there any restrictions?
Not many:
You can write for any of the three CSI Universes, or a crossover of any of the three.
You can write Gen, Het, Slash, whatever floats your boat, as long as the primary focus is on one or more CSI characters, settings, etc. (AUs are awesome.)
We do ask that you have at least one beta look over your fic for you. It's up to you whether you want just a SPAG beta or a full canon and content beta.
My fic is set in CSIverse, but my main characters are going to be Original Characters (OCs). Is that okay?
We are fine with OCs, with a few stipulations. They can be the main characters, but don't have them override all of the canon characters. Let us see the canon characters in the fic as well. You can have a police forensics fic set in New York, but it isn't CSI:NY without Mac/Stella/Flack/Lindsay/Danny/Hawkes/etc. We also don't want the OCs to be Mary Sues; OCs should be a crucial driving force to the plot, not just a love interest.
Finally, if you're using an Original Character, please start thinking about the casting of that character early and gather images for your artist. We can't promise that your artist is going to create a manip including that character, but it'll be easier for them if they have a name, some pictures, and maybe even a website with more pictures provided for them.
Can I start posting my fic or art in my journal if I finish early?
No. We ask that you not post your fic or art prior to the deadline.
Okay, if I can't post it early, can I turn it in early?
That would be awesome. Since the community is moderated, it'll be put in the queue, and we'll release it when it is time for the fics to go up. Just a note: posting order will be first come first serve, so the earlier you finish and post to the queue, the earlier it goes up when the unveiling happens.
Can I sign up for more than one thing (author or artist or beta)?
If you want to sign up as more than just an author or artist or beta, that is allowed - however you need to remember to stay on schedule for both. You might need to take a long look at the deadlines and your schedule.
Is there a size limit on art?
Nope. As long as it is a size that can be posted, you're good.
Do I have to host my art?
Nope! We have hosting space for it. Just let us know when it is ready and we'll let you know how to get it to us.
Can I give my artist direction on the art?
You can give a small amount of direction in your illustration draft by suggesting scenes that might be good to illustrate, as well as discuss the story and art with the artist. That doesn't mean, however, that the artist has to illustrate the scenes you want. While writing is ultimately up to the author, the art is ultimately up to the artist.
What if I don't meet the check in word requirements?
They aren't hard and fast requirements. We aren't going to kick you out if you only have 3K at the first check in. (We may, however, ask how everything is going and if you need help/a cheerleader/etc.) They're there to give you ideas of where you should ideally be at that point in time. If your style is to plot and plan and research for months before cranking out 15K in one week's time, you're probably going to do fine if you miss a checkpoint (though we will probably check on how you're doing). If you're an author who can spend 30 minutes agonizing over a word, you probably want to use them to keep on track.
We won't advertise who did and didn't meet the checkpoint goals; the comments to the post will be screened, and everyone will be filling out the same form. Ideally we would like everyone to be within 1K at the first check in and within 2K at the second. But really, we just want to know that everyone is still with us and working on their fics, so you are required to check in at these times.
What if I don't end up with exactly 15K?
We aren't going to kick you out if you're close but not quite there or if you go over. If you've finished your story and have barely reached 10K, then there might be a problem. :(
Oh no! I think I'm in over my head!
If you've realized that you've overcommited yourself, you have until June 19th (when stories get matched with art) to let us know that you're withdrawing from the Big Bang. Dropping out after that (barring emergency) will disqualify you from participating in the next round. If you withdraw before then, you're welcome to continue to participate in the Big Bang as a beta/cheerleader/artist.
Regardless of when you withdraw, you must contact the mods (via email at csibigbang@gmail.com or via a mod post) to let us know that you won't be continuing.
Thursday, March 25- start sign-ups
Thursday, April 29- writers' sign-ups end, first author check in (5K)
Thursday, May 27- second check in (10K); artist sign-ups end
Thursday, June 24- rough draft due and story summaries due (15K)
Saturday, June 26- story summaries go up for artists to select from
Saturday, July 24 - final drafts and art due
Monday, July 26 - posting begins
Rules for Authors:
1 - You are required to write 15,000 words. There is no upper limit.
2 - WIPs are allowed, as long as they are less than 3,000 words.
3 - We allow crossovers within the franchise, so you may write each individual show as well as CSI/CSI: Miami, CSI/CSI: NY, CSI: Miami/CSI: NY and CSI/CSI: Miami/CSI: NY. We do not allow crossovers with other shows.
4 - Up to two people may write a single fic for the challenge. No more than two people to a fic, though.
5 - You may write more than one story.
6 - There are two check-ins, and if you do not check in at those times you will not be allowed to finish your participation in the challenge.
7 - The story summary should include a short description of your story, pairings involved, and necessary warnings. This doesn't have to be what you stick in the header, it's what the artists will be seeing and basing their claims on. Story summaries will be given a number and posted anonymously, so artists won't know which author they're doing art for until after the claiming is over (in order to avoid bias).
8 - The rough draft you hand in on June 17 does not need to be polished or betaed. It does need to have an ending or enough of an ending for your artist to have something to work with.
9 - Stories may not be posted elsewhere until after they have gone live at the csi_bigbang. Stories must be beta-read prior to posting.
Rules for Artists/Mixers/Vidders:
1 - You must make at least one graphic, fanmix, or video for each fic you take on. You are more than welcome to make more, but there is a one item minimum.
2 - Fanmixes must be at least 10 songs and no more than 15. Vids should be at least 30 seconds. Art may be in any medium you want, any size you want within reason (authors are working for three months on these stories; making just one icon for them is a little uncool).
3 - You do not need to host your own art if you don't wish. The mods can make hosting arrangements; please contact us if necessary.
4 - Artists will not be assigned this year, but will have the chance to select the fic they want to create art for. Story summaries will be given a number and posted anonymously, so artists won't know which author they're doing art for until after the claiming is over (in order to avoid bias).
Rules for Betas and Cheerleaders:
1 - No bashing of fics. Constructive criticism only.
2 - Betas and Cheerleaders will not be assigned this year, but will be available in the beta and cheerleader pools to be contacted by authors who may need assistance.
Rules for Everyone:
1 - To participate you must fill out the appropriate form (writer, graphics artists/vidders, beta or cheerleader). You are allowed to sign up for more than one thing (ie. you can sign up as a writer and a beta).
2 - You have until June 19th (when stories get matched with art) to let us know that you're withdrawing from the Big Bang. Dropping out after that (barring emergency) will disqualify you from participating in the next round. If you withdraw before then, you're welcome to continue to participate in the Big Bang as a beta/cheerleader/artist. Regardless of when you withdraw, you must contact the mods (via email at csibigbang@gmail.com or via a mod post) to let us know that you won't be continuing to avoid disqualification.
FAQS:
What is a Big Bang?
A Big Bang Challenge is one where you write a long fic (in this case 15,000 words), which artists then create illustrations or vids for. When all is said and done, the goal is to have great long fic and art added to the fandom. Win/win, yes?
Are there any restrictions?
Not many:
My fic is set in CSIverse, but my main characters are going to be Original Characters (OCs). Is that okay?
We are fine with OCs, with a few stipulations. They can be the main characters, but don't have them override all of the canon characters. Let us see the canon characters in the fic as well. You can have a police forensics fic set in New York, but it isn't CSI:NY without Mac/Stella/Flack/Lindsay/Danny/Hawkes/etc. We also don't want the OCs to be Mary Sues; OCs should be a crucial driving force to the plot, not just a love interest.
Finally, if you're using an Original Character, please start thinking about the casting of that character early and gather images for your artist. We can't promise that your artist is going to create a manip including that character, but it'll be easier for them if they have a name, some pictures, and maybe even a website with more pictures provided for them.
Can I start posting my fic or art in my journal if I finish early?
No. We ask that you not post your fic or art prior to the deadline.
Okay, if I can't post it early, can I turn it in early?
That would be awesome. Since the community is moderated, it'll be put in the queue, and we'll release it when it is time for the fics to go up. Just a note: posting order will be first come first serve, so the earlier you finish and post to the queue, the earlier it goes up when the unveiling happens.
Can I sign up for more than one thing (author or artist or beta)?
If you want to sign up as more than just an author or artist or beta, that is allowed - however you need to remember to stay on schedule for both. You might need to take a long look at the deadlines and your schedule.
Is there a size limit on art?
Nope. As long as it is a size that can be posted, you're good.
Do I have to host my art?
Nope! We have hosting space for it. Just let us know when it is ready and we'll let you know how to get it to us.
Can I give my artist direction on the art?
You can give a small amount of direction in your illustration draft by suggesting scenes that might be good to illustrate, as well as discuss the story and art with the artist. That doesn't mean, however, that the artist has to illustrate the scenes you want. While writing is ultimately up to the author, the art is ultimately up to the artist.
What if I don't meet the check in word requirements?
They aren't hard and fast requirements. We aren't going to kick you out if you only have 3K at the first check in. (We may, however, ask how everything is going and if you need help/a cheerleader/etc.) They're there to give you ideas of where you should ideally be at that point in time. If your style is to plot and plan and research for months before cranking out 15K in one week's time, you're probably going to do fine if you miss a checkpoint (though we will probably check on how you're doing). If you're an author who can spend 30 minutes agonizing over a word, you probably want to use them to keep on track.
We won't advertise who did and didn't meet the checkpoint goals; the comments to the post will be screened, and everyone will be filling out the same form. Ideally we would like everyone to be within 1K at the first check in and within 2K at the second. But really, we just want to know that everyone is still with us and working on their fics, so you are required to check in at these times.
What if I don't end up with exactly 15K?
We aren't going to kick you out if you're close but not quite there or if you go over. If you've finished your story and have barely reached 10K, then there might be a problem. :(
Oh no! I think I'm in over my head!
If you've realized that you've overcommited yourself, you have until June 19th (when stories get matched with art) to let us know that you're withdrawing from the Big Bang. Dropping out after that (barring emergency) will disqualify you from participating in the next round. If you withdraw before then, you're welcome to continue to participate in the Big Bang as a beta/cheerleader/artist.
Regardless of when you withdraw, you must contact the mods (via email at csibigbang@gmail.com or via a mod post) to let us know that you won't be continuing.