Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Big Bang?
A Big Bang is a challenge that produces new, long and complete stories with accompanying fanart. The original challenge was posted in a Harry/Draco community (and the big bang in question was regarding the sparks that would fly when they eventually hooked up), but since then it has spread to all corners of all fandoms. Most commonly the minimum word length is 20,000, but it can range anywhere from 5,000 to 50,000 depending on the community.
I am thinking of signing up as an author
What am I signing up for?
When you sign up as an author, you are saying that you will finish a brand new, 10,000 word Pirates of the Caribbean fanfic by May 15, 2011. It has to be complete--no WIPs are allowed for this challenge.
Can I write slash/porn/an epic love story between the Black Pearl and the Kraken?
Probably yes. We do not have any restrictions on pairings or characters for this challenge. We welcome gen, het, slash, threesomes and moresomes. All ratings, from G to NC-17 are allowed (but must be clearly marked with applicable warnings). AUs are fine (as long as the characters are still recognizable as the characters) as are those stories set after the original movie which ignore the next two.
The only exception would be relationships involving a minor--I am not sure this is applicable in our fandom, but if you want further clarification, ask.
Can I include spoilers for On Stranger Tides?
No.
What happens if I sign up but I can't finish the story in time?
We will be really sad. We will understand, though, since Real Life pops up at the most unexpected times. Thought that's part of the reason why we have a due date for the rough draft as well as a due date for the final copy. It gives us a better idea of who is going to be able to finish.
I have a story that I've already started. Can I finish it for the challenge?
That depends. Is it sitting on your hard drive? Then yes. Have you posted a few little snippets (a hundred words here, a half a page there)? Then yes. Have you posted the first two chapters to your journal? Then no. That doesn't satify our requirement that it be a new piece of work.
Can I write a sequel to one of my previous fics?
Yes! Just make sure it stands alone so a new reader can come in and understand everything without feeling lost.
What is this final draft thing about?
A final draft is the version you would be sending to a beta. It has a beginning, middle and an end, but it might be a little rough around the edges. Maybe you need to add in a scene or two (nothing major, just something to help the transition) or maybe you need to cut out the purple prose. But it is your story, more or less.
This is the version that the artist will be using, so keep that in mind before completely rewriting or deleting pivitol scenes.
Why is the final draft due a month before the final deadline?
There are several reasons for this. The first is so that we can get a good idea of who is still participating in the challenge. If you can't get the final draft in by the deadline, it won't be posted as part of the challenge. Secondly, the artists need time to work as well. And don't forget, you need to have it looked over by a beta.
Does it have to be read by a beta?
Yes.
If you don't have a regular beta, if s/he is away, let us know and we'll try to help find you one. There will be sign-up for betas as well, to help this process.
The mods reserve the right to ask you to find a second beta.
Where can I post my story?
Until the challenge is finished, you are not allowed to post it anywhere, not even your own personal journal. Once all the stories have been posted, then you are free to post it anywhere your heart desires.
We just ask that you get the artist's permission before posting his/her work anywhere.
I am thinking of signing up as an artist
What am I signing up for?
When you sign up as an artist, you are agreeing to make one piece of fanart
What kind of art is allowed?
We allow: any techniques traditional and digital, including but not limiting to drawing, painting and manips. Also vids and fanmixes.
If you have something that you don't think fits into any of the above, just ask.
How will I be assigned a story?
When the final drafts are due, the mods will ask the authors to submit a summary along with pairing and rating information. This will be posted and artists will rate their first, second and third choices. We will do our best to accomodate everyone, but if you have serious problems with the story, characters or something else, please let the mods know.
What happens if I sign up but I can't finish the art in time?
If this happens, please let the mods know as soon as possible so we can assign another fan artist to the story.
I am thinking of signing up as a beta reader
What am I signing up for?
When you fill out a beta reader form, you are agreeing to let authors contact you and ask for beta help. You still reserve the right to refuse anyone that approaches you (you don't like the pairings, won't read the rating, have already agreed to help out other people, etc.).
What happens if I sign up but then I find I don't have the time to beta?
First of all, let any author who has contacted you for beta help know immediately so s/he can find someone else.
Second of all, let the mods know so they can take your post down from the beta list so other authors don't contact you.
Any other questions
I want to be an author, artist AND beta. Is this allowed?
Yes! You can tackle as much or as little as you think you can handle.
Who is this 'we' you keep referring to in the FAQ?
"We" are the mods. Right now, it is just trinityday pretending that there is more than one of her.
A Big Bang is a challenge that produces new, long and complete stories with accompanying fanart. The original challenge was posted in a Harry/Draco community (and the big bang in question was regarding the sparks that would fly when they eventually hooked up), but since then it has spread to all corners of all fandoms. Most commonly the minimum word length is 20,000, but it can range anywhere from 5,000 to 50,000 depending on the community.
I am thinking of signing up as an author
What am I signing up for?
When you sign up as an author, you are saying that you will finish a brand new, 10,000 word Pirates of the Caribbean fanfic by May 15, 2011. It has to be complete--no WIPs are allowed for this challenge.
Can I write slash/porn/an epic love story between the Black Pearl and the Kraken?
Probably yes. We do not have any restrictions on pairings or characters for this challenge. We welcome gen, het, slash, threesomes and moresomes. All ratings, from G to NC-17 are allowed (but must be clearly marked with applicable warnings). AUs are fine (as long as the characters are still recognizable as the characters) as are those stories set after the original movie which ignore the next two.
The only exception would be relationships involving a minor--I am not sure this is applicable in our fandom, but if you want further clarification, ask.
Can I include spoilers for On Stranger Tides?
No.
What happens if I sign up but I can't finish the story in time?
We will be really sad. We will understand, though, since Real Life pops up at the most unexpected times. Thought that's part of the reason why we have a due date for the rough draft as well as a due date for the final copy. It gives us a better idea of who is going to be able to finish.
I have a story that I've already started. Can I finish it for the challenge?
That depends. Is it sitting on your hard drive? Then yes. Have you posted a few little snippets (a hundred words here, a half a page there)? Then yes. Have you posted the first two chapters to your journal? Then no. That doesn't satify our requirement that it be a new piece of work.
Can I write a sequel to one of my previous fics?
Yes! Just make sure it stands alone so a new reader can come in and understand everything without feeling lost.
What is this final draft thing about?
A final draft is the version you would be sending to a beta. It has a beginning, middle and an end, but it might be a little rough around the edges. Maybe you need to add in a scene or two (nothing major, just something to help the transition) or maybe you need to cut out the purple prose. But it is your story, more or less.
This is the version that the artist will be using, so keep that in mind before completely rewriting or deleting pivitol scenes.
Why is the final draft due a month before the final deadline?
There are several reasons for this. The first is so that we can get a good idea of who is still participating in the challenge. If you can't get the final draft in by the deadline, it won't be posted as part of the challenge. Secondly, the artists need time to work as well. And don't forget, you need to have it looked over by a beta.
Does it have to be read by a beta?
Yes.
If you don't have a regular beta, if s/he is away, let us know and we'll try to help find you one. There will be sign-up for betas as well, to help this process.
The mods reserve the right to ask you to find a second beta.
Where can I post my story?
Until the challenge is finished, you are not allowed to post it anywhere, not even your own personal journal. Once all the stories have been posted, then you are free to post it anywhere your heart desires.
We just ask that you get the artist's permission before posting his/her work anywhere.
I am thinking of signing up as an artist
What am I signing up for?
When you sign up as an artist, you are agreeing to make one piece of fanart
What kind of art is allowed?
We allow: any techniques traditional and digital, including but not limiting to drawing, painting and manips. Also vids and fanmixes.
If you have something that you don't think fits into any of the above, just ask.
How will I be assigned a story?
When the final drafts are due, the mods will ask the authors to submit a summary along with pairing and rating information. This will be posted and artists will rate their first, second and third choices. We will do our best to accomodate everyone, but if you have serious problems with the story, characters or something else, please let the mods know.
What happens if I sign up but I can't finish the art in time?
If this happens, please let the mods know as soon as possible so we can assign another fan artist to the story.
I am thinking of signing up as a beta reader
What am I signing up for?
When you fill out a beta reader form, you are agreeing to let authors contact you and ask for beta help. You still reserve the right to refuse anyone that approaches you (you don't like the pairings, won't read the rating, have already agreed to help out other people, etc.).
What happens if I sign up but then I find I don't have the time to beta?
First of all, let any author who has contacted you for beta help know immediately so s/he can find someone else.
Second of all, let the mods know so they can take your post down from the beta list so other authors don't contact you.
Any other questions
I want to be an author, artist AND beta. Is this allowed?
Yes! You can tackle as much or as little as you think you can handle.
Who is this 'we' you keep referring to in the FAQ?
"We" are the mods. Right now, it is just trinityday pretending that there is more than one of her.