Round 3 FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bigbang?
There are many different types of bigbangs, all varying slightly, but generally a bigbang challenge is where over a period of 3-4 months (some are longer) authors write a complete (10,000, 15,000, or 20,000 words) story and artists then claim that story to make customized art for.
What is polyamory?
The definition of polyamory this challenge is operating under is "consensual non-monogamy that goes beyond sex" (to borrow wording from woldy).
Jack and Jill can be together, and Jill and Jane can be together, but Jack and Jane don't have to be together. Jack and Jane can both have other partners as well, and none of these partners have to be romantically or sexually involved with each other. That's all still polyamory.
If Jack, Jill, Jane, and John are all in a happy quad together, though, that is obviously more than okay, and also polyamory.
Polyamory also doesn't have to include sex. The relationships can be purely romantic in nature, your characters may be asexual but not aromantic, etc.
How do I sign up?
When sign-ups start, there will be one post for authors and one for artists where you can sign up for the challenge.
~Writing Requirements~
What type of requirements are there for a fic?
Your fic must be at least 10,000 words long and beta-read before the posting date. It must focus on or revolve around a polyamorous relationship.
I've already been writing a poly story -- can I use that?
Your story for this challenge has to be completely new and/or unposted anywhere on the internet (so if you have been working on a story but haven't posted it feel free to sign up with it here).
What genres/fandoms are allowed?
All genres and fandoms are allowed in this challenge.
I've got two ideas in my head ... can I write both?
Yes you can, as long as you think you'll be able to finish both stories by the deadline (if you submit two stories we will do our best to make sure there is a good amount of time in between the posting of each fic).
Can I write with someone else?
Yes, you may co-author your bigbang if you want to. The word minimum however for co authored works is 15,000.
Can my fic be the sequel to something else I've written?
Yes, as long as it can stand alone (e.g. no cliffhangers or ~to be continued~). Please link to the prequel fic in your header.
Does my fic have to be beta'd?
Yes! Before you post your story needs to be read by a beta (someone to help with everything from spelling and grammar to plot and character development). If you are unable to find a beta there will be a beta sign up post that you can use to find a beta.
~Artist Requirements~
How do I know what I'm making art for?
When the writers turn in their rough drafts, we'll make a claims post. In this post we'll include the story summary, the pairing as well as any warnings the author gives. You can choose which fic you'd like to create art for, and then that person's fic will get crossed off the list.
What are the requirements for art?
You can make whatever kind of art you feel like, in whichever medium. Drawing, painting, digital, manips, anything you can think of. We just ask that you put some time into it, as our authors have.
You are also required to make a minimum of one piece of art for the story you claim.
How do I make a claim?
Claims are done on a first come, first serve basis. We will be putting up a f-locked post and the artists will reply to it with the story they claim to do art for (so make sure you are a member of the community)
Can I claim more than one fic for art and/or mixing?
Yes, but only after a 48 hour as passed to give other artists/mixers time to claim a story.
Can more than one artist/mixer claim the same fic?
Yes, but only once every fic has already been claimed once.
If I'm already writing a story, can I also create a mix or art? Can I sign up both as a mixer and an artist?
Absolutely, as long as you're not claiming your own story.
Do we post our fics/mixes/art directly to this community or do we just link them?
Since there is a very high probability that fics will exceed the LJ character limit and span multiple posts, to avoid spam we'd prefer it if you posted your fic to your own journal and just linked it in one post from here. As for mixes and art, those also needed to be uploaded to the artist/mixers journal and linked to from the fic post and masterpost to the community.
If I've made my own art/soundtrack for my story, can I include it?
Sure! The more the merrier.
What if I need to drop out?
There will be a post to do so once rough drafts are due. If you would like to drop out earlier please PM one of the mods are email us at the mod email to let us know.
~Schedule~
What kind of timeline will I be under?
Author sign ups open - September 1st, 2011
Author sign ups close - November 6th, 2011
Checkpoint #1 - September 23rd, 2011
Checkpoint #2 - October 21st, 2011
Rough drafts due - November 7th, 2011
Artist claims up - November 13th, 2011
Artist checkpoint - December 17th, 2011 (MANDATORY)
Final fic and art due - January 8th, 2012
Posting schedule up - January 11th, 2012
Posting starts - January 15th, 2012
What's a checkpoint?
The author checkpoints aren't mandatory. They're something to give you a feel on where a typical author should be at in their writing process. They're used for encouragement and motivation only.
Will artists get checkpoints?
Yes, the artist checkpoint will be to make sure they are working on the art and are in contact with their author. This checkpoint is mandatory for artists and will be open for a week, if artists do not comment or respond to any of the reminder emails to do so they will be removed from the story they claimed and a pinch hitter will be assigned.
Because the checkpoint does fall during the holiday season artists are allowed to email as in advance (if they are going on vacation or won't be around) to let us know they won't be able to make it to the checkpoint.
What should my rough draft look like?
It needs to be at least 8,000 words, or 80% of your fic. You do not need to have your fic finished by this time however, you may still work on it and get it beta-read until your final fic and art is due. We just need to be able to reasonably verify that you are going to be able to post on your assigned date.
Can I have an extension?
We will be granting extensions on a case-by-case basis for rough drafts as long as your final fic or art is in by the due date. We would hope, however, that you use the checkpoints and all your available writing time to it's fullest.
If you think at anytime you need an extension (whether fic or art) contact a mod right away so we can begin working it out with you.
~Community Requirements~
Can I join this comm?
Absolutely! Feel free to join and watch the comm even if you aren't signing up, if you ARE signing up you need to join the comm ASAP. Some important reminders and post will be members locked.
~Posting Requirements~
What types of requirements are there for me to post my fic?
You must include a header with all regular information on it. This includes warnings. Not all of our readers like the same thing, so you are required to warn them. Besides that, you must include the fandom you're writing in, as we have multiple here at this bigbang.
Here is an example header, with the things you could include.
Title:
Fandoms:
Pairing:
Word Count:
Rating/Warnings:
Beta:
Summary:
You also must include the art made for you in your masterlist.
Can I post it to my journal a few days early to show my friends?
Yes you can post your fic in advance but not to show your friends, the first time you show your fic for this bigbang must be on your reveal day. If you post in advance please lock the post for your eyes only.
My fic exceeds the character limit for a single post, what do I do?
Most people choose to break their fic up into 2 or more parts (whatever is best for you) and then create a master post that links to all the parts, the art, and the mix from one place. You may also post your fic to Archive of Our Own or Dreamwidth if you prefer that.
Where can I upload my graphics?
Tinypic is recommended for images or .gif files, along with Photobucket and Imgur. They all have their pros and cons, use what you are most comfortable with.
How will I get my graphics to my author?
We will provide you with contact information once you are committed to an author. From their you can contact them to find out more about their interests, or simply send them the links to your final mix/art.
We would like to encourage you to be in contact with them and to share what you make for them.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to ask them below or contact a mod. The moderators for this challenge are chosenfire28 and unavoidedcrisis . You can also email us at polybbmods@gmail.com.
What is a bigbang?
There are many different types of bigbangs, all varying slightly, but generally a bigbang challenge is where over a period of 3-4 months (some are longer) authors write a complete (10,000, 15,000, or 20,000 words) story and artists then claim that story to make customized art for.
What is polyamory?
The definition of polyamory this challenge is operating under is "consensual non-monogamy that goes beyond sex" (to borrow wording from woldy).
Jack and Jill can be together, and Jill and Jane can be together, but Jack and Jane don't have to be together. Jack and Jane can both have other partners as well, and none of these partners have to be romantically or sexually involved with each other. That's all still polyamory.
If Jack, Jill, Jane, and John are all in a happy quad together, though, that is obviously more than okay, and also polyamory.
Polyamory also doesn't have to include sex. The relationships can be purely romantic in nature, your characters may be asexual but not aromantic, etc.
How do I sign up?
When sign-ups start, there will be one post for authors and one for artists where you can sign up for the challenge.
~Writing Requirements~
What type of requirements are there for a fic?
Your fic must be at least 10,000 words long and beta-read before the posting date. It must focus on or revolve around a polyamorous relationship.
I've already been writing a poly story -- can I use that?
Your story for this challenge has to be completely new and/or unposted anywhere on the internet (so if you have been working on a story but haven't posted it feel free to sign up with it here).
What genres/fandoms are allowed?
All genres and fandoms are allowed in this challenge.
I've got two ideas in my head ... can I write both?
Yes you can, as long as you think you'll be able to finish both stories by the deadline (if you submit two stories we will do our best to make sure there is a good amount of time in between the posting of each fic).
Can I write with someone else?
Yes, you may co-author your bigbang if you want to. The word minimum however for co authored works is 15,000.
Can my fic be the sequel to something else I've written?
Yes, as long as it can stand alone (e.g. no cliffhangers or ~to be continued~). Please link to the prequel fic in your header.
Does my fic have to be beta'd?
Yes! Before you post your story needs to be read by a beta (someone to help with everything from spelling and grammar to plot and character development). If you are unable to find a beta there will be a beta sign up post that you can use to find a beta.
~Artist Requirements~
How do I know what I'm making art for?
When the writers turn in their rough drafts, we'll make a claims post. In this post we'll include the story summary, the pairing as well as any warnings the author gives. You can choose which fic you'd like to create art for, and then that person's fic will get crossed off the list.
What are the requirements for art?
You can make whatever kind of art you feel like, in whichever medium. Drawing, painting, digital, manips, anything you can think of. We just ask that you put some time into it, as our authors have.
You are also required to make a minimum of one piece of art for the story you claim.
How do I make a claim?
Claims are done on a first come, first serve basis. We will be putting up a f-locked post and the artists will reply to it with the story they claim to do art for (so make sure you are a member of the community)
Can I claim more than one fic for art and/or mixing?
Yes, but only after a 48 hour as passed to give other artists/mixers time to claim a story.
Can more than one artist/mixer claim the same fic?
Yes, but only once every fic has already been claimed once.
If I'm already writing a story, can I also create a mix or art? Can I sign up both as a mixer and an artist?
Absolutely, as long as you're not claiming your own story.
Do we post our fics/mixes/art directly to this community or do we just link them?
Since there is a very high probability that fics will exceed the LJ character limit and span multiple posts, to avoid spam we'd prefer it if you posted your fic to your own journal and just linked it in one post from here. As for mixes and art, those also needed to be uploaded to the artist/mixers journal and linked to from the fic post and masterpost to the community.
If I've made my own art/soundtrack for my story, can I include it?
Sure! The more the merrier.
What if I need to drop out?
There will be a post to do so once rough drafts are due. If you would like to drop out earlier please PM one of the mods are email us at the mod email to let us know.
~Schedule~
What kind of timeline will I be under?
Author sign ups open - September 1st, 2011
Author sign ups close - November 6th, 2011
Checkpoint #1 - September 23rd, 2011
Checkpoint #2 - October 21st, 2011
Rough drafts due - November 7th, 2011
Artist claims up - November 13th, 2011
Artist checkpoint - December 17th, 2011 (MANDATORY)
Final fic and art due - January 8th, 2012
Posting schedule up - January 11th, 2012
Posting starts - January 15th, 2012
What's a checkpoint?
The author checkpoints aren't mandatory. They're something to give you a feel on where a typical author should be at in their writing process. They're used for encouragement and motivation only.
Will artists get checkpoints?
Yes, the artist checkpoint will be to make sure they are working on the art and are in contact with their author. This checkpoint is mandatory for artists and will be open for a week, if artists do not comment or respond to any of the reminder emails to do so they will be removed from the story they claimed and a pinch hitter will be assigned.
Because the checkpoint does fall during the holiday season artists are allowed to email as in advance (if they are going on vacation or won't be around) to let us know they won't be able to make it to the checkpoint.
What should my rough draft look like?
It needs to be at least 8,000 words, or 80% of your fic. You do not need to have your fic finished by this time however, you may still work on it and get it beta-read until your final fic and art is due. We just need to be able to reasonably verify that you are going to be able to post on your assigned date.
Can I have an extension?
We will be granting extensions on a case-by-case basis for rough drafts as long as your final fic or art is in by the due date. We would hope, however, that you use the checkpoints and all your available writing time to it's fullest.
If you think at anytime you need an extension (whether fic or art) contact a mod right away so we can begin working it out with you.
~Community Requirements~
Can I join this comm?
Absolutely! Feel free to join and watch the comm even if you aren't signing up, if you ARE signing up you need to join the comm ASAP. Some important reminders and post will be members locked.
~Posting Requirements~
What types of requirements are there for me to post my fic?
You must include a header with all regular information on it. This includes warnings. Not all of our readers like the same thing, so you are required to warn them. Besides that, you must include the fandom you're writing in, as we have multiple here at this bigbang.
Here is an example header, with the things you could include.
Title:
Fandoms:
Pairing:
Word Count:
Rating/Warnings:
Beta:
Summary:
You also must include the art made for you in your masterlist.
Can I post it to my journal a few days early to show my friends?
Yes you can post your fic in advance but not to show your friends, the first time you show your fic for this bigbang must be on your reveal day. If you post in advance please lock the post for your eyes only.
My fic exceeds the character limit for a single post, what do I do?
Most people choose to break their fic up into 2 or more parts (whatever is best for you) and then create a master post that links to all the parts, the art, and the mix from one place. You may also post your fic to Archive of Our Own or Dreamwidth if you prefer that.
Where can I upload my graphics?
Tinypic is recommended for images or .gif files, along with Photobucket and Imgur. They all have their pros and cons, use what you are most comfortable with.
How will I get my graphics to my author?
We will provide you with contact information once you are committed to an author. From their you can contact them to find out more about their interests, or simply send them the links to your final mix/art.
We would like to encourage you to be in contact with them and to share what you make for them.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to ask them below or contact a mod. The moderators for this challenge are chosenfire28 and unavoidedcrisis . You can also email us at polybbmods@gmail.com.