Hetalia Remix 2010: Intro & Guidelines

[miaoujones]

INTRODUCTION TO THE REMIX

Welcome to the introduction and guidelines post for Hetalia Remix 2010!

For those unfamiliar with the concept, a remix is "an alternative version of a song, different from the original version. This name is also used for any alterations of medias other than a song (film, literature etc.)." [from the "Remix" entry on Wikipedia]

Fanfiction has a been part of that "etc" since 2003, when popslash introduced the remix concept to fandom with We Invented the Remix. Fandom remix exchanges have proliferated since then, and we thought it would fun to bring the challenge to Hetalia. ♥

The idea is that you rewrite a story by the author you get assigned, changing something about the original while retaining basics like characters and plot elements. (For more on fanfic remixes, check out the remix entry at Fanlore.)

Guidelines: what you may do in a remix (list will be revised as questions/suggestions are made):

• Write a "missing" scene (one that takes place within the timeframe of the original story, but wasn't show by the author).
  
  
• Expand one or more scenes.
  
  
• Change the point of view to another character already in the story. This does not have to be one of the main characters, and it doesn't even have to be a nation-tan or human character (e.g. you might tell the story from Kumajiro's POV, but only if he is mentioned as present in the original story; or you might tell it from the POV of a plant or inanimate object, again only if it's mentioned in the original story).
  
  
• Change the rating.
  
  
• Change the style (that is, you do not have to try to write it in the original author's style).
  
  
• Change the form (e.g. write a prose story in iambic pentameter).

Guidelines: what you may NOT do in a remix (list will be revised as questions/suggestions are made):

• "Fix" or change the basic facts of the plot, including the ending. If Character A dies in the original, Character A still has to die in the remix. If Character B wins Character C's heart, Character D cannot win in the remix.
  
  
• Go beyond the timeframe of the original story. You do not need to cover the entire period covered in the original story (you may choose to focus on and expand a single scene, for example), but you cannot start before the original story starts or go beyond where the original story ends. In other words, no prequels or sequels. (Limited flashbacks are permitted.)
  
  
• Introduce characters not in the original story.

HETALIA REMIX 2010 TIMELINE/DEADLINES:

Determine your eligibility (next section), and then sign up here by 11:59 pm PST on February 6, 2010. This countdown timer shows exactly how much time you have left to sign up, regardless of what time zone you're in. Sign-ups for 2010 are closed!

Assignments will go out on February 12, 2010.

Posting begins at 9:00 pm PST on March 18, 2010. This countdown timer shows you how much time is left to the start of posting, regardless of what time zone you're in. ETA: Posting is now open!

DEADLINE: Posting ends 24 hours later, at 9:00 pm PST on March 19 March 27, 2010. This countdown timer shows exactly how much time you have left to complete and post your remix, regardless of what time zone you're in.


ELIGIBILITY

You must have completed at least 5 Hetalia fics of at least 1,000 words each, of which you are the sole author.

• Individual stories set in the same universe will be considered separate fics and will count towards the total.
  
• Works-in-progress are not eligible to be remixed and will not count towards this total.
  
• Collaborations are not eligible to be remixed and will not count towards the total.

As a subset of the above, at least 3 of the stories must be oneshots.

Your fic must be available publicly and at a single link. Please do not lock stories for any reason. If you are not comfortable having your stories available to the public, this might not be the challenge for you.

• In particular, please do not lock stories just because you don't want them remixed. You will have the option to protect a single story as part of the sign-up; if there is more than one you're unwilling to see remixed, this may not be the challenge for you. Of course, we probably won't know you've locked stories. We'll just be pretty sad if we find out-and if we do happen to find out, you'll be ineligible in subsequent years.
  
  
• If your Hetalia stories are not collected in one place but are scattered in various journals and archives, one option is to post a compiled list of links, and use the URL of that post in your sign up.
  
  
• If your Hetalia stories are in a journal that you use for things other than fic, please submit a link that only includes Hetalia fic (e.g. using tags).
  
  
• If your Hetalia stories are in a writing journal that contains other fandoms, please submit a link that only includes Hetalia fic (e.g. using tags).

Your fic does not need to be on LJ.

You do not need an LJ account to participate.

You may not have defaulted in Hetalia Sunshine, unless you have completed a fic for another Hetalia exchange since then. Please provide a link to your completed fic with your sign-up.


FILLS

Please refer to the INTRO section of this post and to your assignment email for guidelines on what you may and may not do in a remixed fic. If you have a question not addressed there, please email miaou dot jones at gmail, with "REMIX QUESTION" in the subject line.

When choosing the fic you want to remix, you may not choose any of the following:

• the protected story, if one is specified in your assignment email.
  
• a work in progress.
  
• a collaboration.

You may choose any of the following, provided the story does not fall under one of the categories in the "do not choose" list above:

• a story under 1,000 words. Please note that your fill still has to be at least 1,000 (see wordcount requirements below).
  
• a multi-chapter story (please see notes below if your remix is also multi-chaptered).
  
• a story with original characters (you must keep the original characters in your remix).
  
• a crossover or fusion (you must keep the crossover/fusion fandom in your remix).

Minimum wordcount: 1,000 words.

Maximum wordcount: none.

• Please note that the entire fic must be completed and posted on the deadline. For multi-chapter stories, this means the completion of all parts. Please plan your fill accordingly!

Please proofread and polish your story.

Please do not reveal whom you're writing for until after the deadline. Part of the fun will be the surprise of who wrote for you, as well as what they wrote.


POSTING

Please do not post your remix anywhere until the opening day of the posting period! Posting may begin at 9:00 pm PST on March 18, 2010. This countdown timer shows you how much time is left to the start of posting, regardless of what time zone you're in. Posting is now open!

The deadline for completing and posting your fill is 9:00 pm PST on March 19 March 27, 2010. This countdown timer shows exactly how much time you have left to complete and post your fill, regardless of what time zone you're in.

Posting will not be done to this comm. Instead, we'd like you to post wherever you want (your own journal, site, AO3 account, etc.) and email the following information to miaou dot jones at gmail:

• subject line: Remix Fill for [your recipient]
  
• in the body of the email itself:
  • your name:
    
  • title of your remix:
    
  • link to your remix:
    
  • your recipient's name:
    
  • title of recipient's original story:
    
  • link to original story:

We will compile a master list of links to all remixes and original stories, crossreferenced by remix author, original author, and characters. Those lists will be posted here at the comm on March 20th. The final lists will be available on April 5th, the day after the emergency pinch hit deadline.

Somewhere in your headers, please credit the original story and its author. A link to hetaliaremix would be lovely but is not required.


DROPPING OUT

If you need to drop out, please let us know, no matter what the reason! We cannot stress enough how helpful it is to send a notification rather than simply not showing up and leaving us wondering what's going on.

• We understand that there are some situations in which you won't be able to contact us--but if it's at all possible, please send us a "dropping out" email (to miaou dot jones at gmail).

Sooner is always better than later in these situations. Please let us know you're dropping out as soon as possible so we can do our best to get your recipient a fill and give a pinch hitter a fair amount of time to work on it. Even if you think you're dropping out last second, we greatly appreciate having that second!

You do not need to provide a reason for dropping out, unless you have extenuating circumstances beyond your control (family emergency, natural disaster, etc.) that you want to have taken into consideration for your eligibility next year or in hetaliasunshine.


PINCH HIT FILLS

If the person remixing you drops out less than a week before the deadline, it's possible you won't get a fill on time. However, if you don't default yourself, you will get a fill by April 4th (the emergency pinch-hit deadline).

CONTACT
If you have questions or suggestions, please leave a comment here or send an email to miaou dot jones at gmail.

Thank you for participating, if you do! ♥