Unwrapping Yuletide Fanfiction

Step into the captivating universe of Yuletide, a fanfiction extravaganza that, among many, marks the rhythm of fan-created narratives throughout the year. In a calendar adorned with events like AUgust being dedicated to Alternate Universes, Tropetember focusing on tropes, and diverse fan weeks spotlighting specific fandoms and characters, Yuletide stands as a testament to the creative expression within fan communities. As an annual exchange event, Yuletide invites participants to craft and exchange stories, offering a unique platform for the celebration of diverse and often overlooked fandoms.

Characteristics of Yuletide Fanfiction

Yuletide, an annual fanfiction exchange, follows a process that begins with a nominations stage in September or October, where participants submit their preferred fandoms and characters. Sign-ups follow, lasting approximately one week, during which participants list the fandoms they are willing to write for and those they desire stories from, along with specific characters. The matching process employs an algorithm, pairing each writer with a requester based on common fandoms. Participants commit to writing one story for the fandom they offered and receiving one in return from a secret author who shares their requested fandoms. Additional stories, often inspired by other request letters, are encouraged.

The challenge unfolds over several months, with participants writing a minimum of 1,000-word stories that must include the characters from the recipient’s request. While participants can provide optional details in their requests, such as preferred relationships or story types, these are not mandatory for authors to follow. The process culminates on December 25th, with participants receiving at least one story in a fandom they requested, featuring the characters they specified. Yuletide also incorporates a Yuletide Madness sub-collection, allowing participants to write and share extra stories, and the New Year’s Resolution challenge, which opens after the author reveal, allowing unfilled requests from the main challenge to be addressed.

Yuletide Fandoms

At the core of Yuletide’s charm are the diverse and often unconventional fandoms that take center stage during its annual festivities. This year’s requests exemplify the celebration of the obscure, the overlooked, and the extraordinary. One request delves into the realm of hilarity with “A Civil War Ghost” CharactersWelcome comedy sketch by comedian Brennan Lee Mulligan, a unique and rare choice that captures the essence of a comedy sketch as its source material. Another rare gem on the list is Ring of Swords by Eleanor Arnason, a work with limited fanfiction presence, making it a standout choice for those who appreciate the unconventional. Yuletide not only thrives on shedding light on these less-explored realms but also challenges traditional notions of what qualifies as a “fandom,” encompassing everything from commercials and paintings to Twitter accounts and viral YouTube videos.

Origins and Evolution

Yuletide, an annual fanfiction exchange initiated in 2003 by fan creators astolat and tzikeh, saw remarkable growth from its modest beginnings, with participant numbers soaring from 300 in its inaugural year to over 2,100 by 2009. The event showcased a diverse range of fandoms, including TV shows, anime, books, and more. Yuletide’s evolution was marked by a pivotal transition in 2009 when it shifted its posting platform to the Archive of Our Own (AO3). This move brought about both challenges and advancements, introducing new features like automatic gift notifications and improved editing capabilities while necessitating the import of the entire Yuletide archive to AO3.

The import process, managed by AO3’s Open Doors project group, faced delays but was ultimately completed in May 2014, marking a significant milestone for Yuletide’s history. The migration preserved the event’s legacy, providing a seamless experience for participants and readers on AO3. Yuletide’s journey reflects its adaptability and resilience within the dynamic landscape of fanfiction communities, ensuring its continued growth and presence as a prominent event on the Archive of Our Own.

Community and Collaboration

Yuletide’s unique cultural traditions add an extra layer of festive charm to the fanfiction exchange. The concept of the Yule Goat, introduced by Liviapenn in 2009 but in use at least two years prior, serves as the bearer of Yuletide presents, offering a less religiously affiliated alternative to the traditional Santa. This imaginative departure reflects the inclusive and diverse nature of Yuletide, fostering an atmosphere that transcends typical holiday traditions. The cultural exchange extends beyond the Yuletide participants, with fans often assuming the event’s universality, leading to inquiries like “What did you get for Yuletide?” becoming common, regardless of one’s involvement.

Collaboration and camaraderie play a vital role in the Yuletide experience, facilitated by the unofficial IRC chatroom established since 2004 and the later addition of a Discord server in 2017. These spaces become lively hubs in the weeks leading up to the Yuletide deadline, serving as platforms for participants to encourage each other, share in the collective hysteria and humor, and navigate the pressures of impending deadlines.

The collaborative spirit extends to the signup process, where fans pair up writers and fics through a sorting algorithm. “Dear Santa” letters help writers unfamiliar with their assigned fandoms, creating a supportive atmosphere for participants. The 24-hour period between the final submission deadline and Christmas Day also sees the creation of last-minute “treats” for giftees in Yuletide Madness, showcasing the dedication of the fanfiction community.

Challenges and Controversies

Despite its success, Yuletide has encountered its fair share of challenges, particularly in managing the logistics of hosting an extensive repository of fanfiction. The division of submissions between two sites and occasional navigation issues have posed logistical hurdles. Additionally, debates have arisen over the definition of a “rare” fandom, and concerns about resource usage on the Archive of Our Own (AO3) servers have fueled intermittent controversies.

In an effort to promote diversity and representation in Yuletide fanfiction, the Misses Claus Challenge has been introduced. This challenge aims to highlight women in Yuletide narratives by incorporating the three-pronged Bechdel test as its criteria. Stories are eligible for the challenge if they either pass the Bechdel test, involving two women engaging in a conversation unrelated to a man, or if the story features a female protagonist whose narrative centers on elements other than her relationship with a man. Participants who successfully meet these criteria are encouraged to label their stories with the “Misses Claus” tag, contributing to the broader goal of fostering inclusivity and diverse storytelling within the Yuletide community.

Exploring the World of On-Demand StoryCraft

The emergence of on-demand freelance platforms has brought about a significant upheaval in the storytelling industry. These platforms are becoming more than just intermediaries; they are becoming potent tools that democratize access to narrative services on a global scale. Using meticulous planning and a relentless pursuit of excellence, authors and clients collaborate to create stories that are dynamic examples of group creation. The future of storytelling is emerging as a dynamic and inclusive experience, paving the way for a revolution in narrative construction as varied perspectives come together on these platforms.

On-Demand Storytelling Platforms

The rise of platforms like Fiverr marks a significant shift in how stories are created and consumed. These platforms, acting as dynamic marketplaces for writers, surpass their role as mere facilitators of creative exchanges; they emerge as powerful instruments propelling the democratization of access to storytelling services. This democratization, enhanced by the global connectivity facilitated by platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, PeoplePerHour, and Truelancer, has fundamentally transformed the conception and realization of narratives.

The accessibility offered by these platforms goes beyond traditional limitations, facilitating connections and collaborations between writers and clients from diverse backgrounds worldwide. Whether hailing from Mexico, Denmark, Estonia, or any corner of the globe, both sellers and buyers can engage, breaking down geographical constraints and fostering an exchange of cultural perspectives. This global interconnectivity transforms storytelling into a collaborative endeavor where diverse voices converge, giving rise to narratives inspired by a mosaic of cultures, languages, and lived experiences.

The democratic nature of these platforms goes beyond geographical inclusivity to address accessibility on multiple fronts. By providing a level playing field for writers of varying expertise and backgrounds, these platforms empower storytellers who might not have had traditional avenues to showcase their skills. This democratization of opportunities ensures that a spectrum of voices contributes to the evolving narrative landscape.

The creative process revolves around writer-client interactions in the complex dance of on-demand narrative. Examining these connections’ dynamics is more than just working together; it’s a complex conversation in which knowing the expectations and preferences of the customer is crucial. See “How to Make Money on Fiverr, According to 5 Freelance Writers” for helpful advice on navigating the freelancing world and optimizing profits on sites such as Fiverr. These firsthand accounts illuminate effective tactics and serve as a priceless tool for writers seeking to establish rapport, satisfy clients, and improve their expertise in the field of on-demand storytelling.

The Collaborative Nature of On-Demand Storytelling

In on-demand storytelling, clients and writers engage in a thorough process of collective brainstorming. This involves a deep exploration of every aspect of the narrative, from character characteristics to the backgrounds of fictional worlds. Clients provide detailed outlines that encapsulate the essence of their envisioned story, covering details like the color of characters’ hair to the story of how they lost their parents.

This collaborative venture goes beyond traditional storytelling dynamics. Clients present intricate outlines resembling blueprints, serving as a roadmap for the narrative journey. The process involves a dynamic exchange of questions and clarifications to articulate the vision precisely. Clients, as the architects of their stories, strive for perfection, ensuring every aspect aligns with their intended narrative.

What sets this collaborative narrative creation apart is the unprecedented involvement of clients in shaping their envisioned story. They have the freedom to introduce changes, add details, and influence the narrative direction based on evolving preferences. This level of client engagement marks a departure from traditional storytelling, creating a symbiotic dance where the client’s vision comes to life with meticulous care.

On-demand storytelling platforms have ushered in a new era where collaboration is elevated. The intricate dance between clients and writers, fueled by detailed outlines and a commitment to perfection, results in narratives that are living manifestations of collaborative creativity. This paradigm shift acknowledges the significance of the client’s narrative vision, making each storytelling venture a truly bespoke and engaging experience.

Adding to the significance of this collaborative approach, a noteworthy 76% of consumers affirm their inclination towards personalized brands, as revealed by McKinsey. This profound impact of tailored storytelling extends far beyond mere purchasing decisions, seeping into realms of recommendations and fostering enduring relationships for repeat business. This shift underscores the compelling need for narratives that resonate intimately with the audience, making on-demand platforms pivotal in shaping the future of storytelling.

Diversity in Client Requests

The kaleidoscope of storylines that emerges from the tapestry of client requests on these dynamic platforms reflects the vast diversity of the worldwide community they represent. These platforms provide writers with a wide range of storytelling requirements covering the whole gamut of human experience. The world of on-demand storytelling is vast and eclectic, ranging from moving narratives of actual events that clients themselves have gone through to creative endeavors where clients imagine themselves being seamlessly integrated into their favorite TV shows, unleashing their own sense of havoc in their favorite fictional worlds.

Beyond the confines of the traditional narrative, this variety presents both opportunities and problems. Writers could be asked to create tales that dive into well-known characters from different universes, with clients requesting stories that take these characters in novel and surprising directions. Fanfiction’s terrain continues to grow, incorporating crossovers between characters from different fictional universes, such as the colorful Anime worlds of One Piece and Dragon Ball Z, to the melodrama world of The Vampire Diaries, or the thrilling adventures of Kim Possible. The fact that clients aren’t restricted to pre-existing universes speaks volumes about the limitless inventiveness spurred by their brilliant imaginations. They also commission the development of whole new worlds, which are painstakingly planned out with their own magic systems and subtleties.

Within this broad and varied field, on-demand narrative serves as a medium for the realization of hopes and ambitions, with writers deftly navigating the complexities of their clients’ goals. The art of the storyteller becomes a flexible collection of tools that adjusts to the needs of customers who want stories that go beyond the typical and explore worlds that are limited to their imaginations.

Overcoming Challenges

On-demand storytelling is a collaborative and diversified field that offers a unique set of complex issues in the digital marketplace between customers and suppliers, despite its tremendous rewards. Language boundaries present a significant challenge for writers operating in this complicated environment, possibly impeding the smooth translation of cultural quirks and customer expectations.

As writers attempt to properly connect their creative vision with the details given by customers, misinterpreting their demands becomes a fine line to tread. Another issue is estimating the word count and the amount of time needed to finish the story; this requires finding a careful balance between fulfilling the client’s deadlines and producing a thorough narrative.

Adding to this multifaceted landscape is the nuanced nature of communication. An interesting phenomenon comes to light where women often feel compelled to include exclamation points in their messages to avoid appearing rude, a concern less prevalent for men who can provide concise responses without similar apprehension. This highlights the subtleties woven into the fabric of digital interactions, where gendered expectations impact communication styles in the on-demand storytelling arena.

There’s also the possibility of disgruntled customers requesting cancellations heightens the dynamics of buyer-seller relationships. There’s then a delicate dance to play, with writers having to choose between politely accepting cancellations or negotiating and trying to find a solution. Potential fallout includes the potential for unfavorable evaluations, which would complicate the digital partnership even more and highlight how important it is to live up to customer expectations.

The Future

The popularity of on-demand storytelling services portends a revolution in the craft of narrative writing. These platforms are developing into centers for cutting-edge narrative strategies as they move beyond conventional markets. Fueled by a variety of customer requests, writers are likely to try out novel frameworks and immersive experiences. These platforms are setting the standard for collaboration in the entertainment industry. Filmmaking, gaming, and other industries may follow suit, changing the way viewers engage with media.

The wide range of requests from clients serves as a spark for more inclusive stories, which affects storytelling in television, movies, and books. A new wave of voices may emerge as a result of the democratization of narrative skills, changing the composition of the storytelling community and bringing new viewpoints to creative ecosystems. The teamwork method increases audience participation and may serve as an example for future storytelling that emphasizes group experiences.

From Fanfiction to Film: How Wattpad is Ushering in A New Age of Writing

Wattpad is an online community of authors and readers that hosts stories from typically unpublished authors. The site is unique in combining social media and a reading platform, which allows readers to interact with the books and the author. Wattpad was founded in 2006 by Allen Lau and Ivan Yuen as an e-reading platform where “readers could download an app to read and chat about fiction shared by professional and aspiring writers from around the world.” According to Lau, being mobile was the top priority. This mobility allowed for interaction on the site to skyrocket. Wattpad appeals to up-and-coming writers who wanted to distribute their work without going through a publishing process.

Writers typically release the book a chapter at a time and readers can make in-line comments on stories, allowing the writer to adjust the book to the reader’s preferences. Wattpad readers are primarily young people who were drawn to the appeal of free books written by their peers instead of older, more established authors. Many of these young authors became success stories through the constructive criticism and praise they received from their fans.

Anna Todd and Happily Ever After

Wattpad has been a powerhouse for undiscovered authors in the past few years. Anna Todd’s After began as a Harry Styles fanfiction in 2013. Written under the name @imaginator1D, After became an almost overnight success, with the fanbase reaching the hundreds of thousands. Todd wrote the majority of After on her phone, with no outlining or proofreading before she uploaded the chapter to Wattpad. While some may dislike the lack of outline, Todd and her fans equally enjoyed the “social writing” model. Todd would listen to her fans’ feedback and adjust the story to their preferences in real time. Not only did Todd’s fanbase grow, but the relationship between the fan and the author grew as well. Readers felt like they had a say in the story, which increased their loyalty to the author, as well as their willingness to offer financial support.

With the help of Wattpad, Anna Todd received a book deal with Simon and Schuster in 2014, just one year after she published her first chapter on Wattpad. After was also granted a movie in 2019, with three sequels to follow. Todd’s story is a testament to the power that her fans and Wattpad hold. The first movie currently holds an 18% on Rotten Tomatoes, though fans give it a significantly better rating of 66%.

Wattpad to Movie Pipeline

Though Todd’s story is one of the most notable, it is far from the only success story that has come from Wattpad. At seventeen, Beth Reekles became the youngest Wattpad writer to score a book deal for her story, The Kissing Booth. Reekle later went on to earn a movie deal with Netflix, though that movie also did poorly on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the abysmal critic reviews, The Kissing Booth garnered immense fan support. According to Sara Perez, this disconnect is due to the “built in audience” of Wattpad users.

Readers don’t just read and watch these stories, they create them. Wattpad utilizes the fan base when adapting stories for film. In an article for Quartz, Adam Epstein discusses Wattpad’s story-to-film process. The fans are integral to the adaptation process, with some “superfans” gaining access to the script to provide feedback before the film hits the box office. This process seems to work well. Epstein writes,

Most books come with a built-in audience, but this one comes with a built-in audience that’s also invested in the development process itself. It not only makes them more inclined to watch the show when it comes out, but leads them to become evangelists for the project on social media, which helps build buzz.
Adam Epstein, Quartz

Wattpad is unique in that its user base not only reads and shapes the stories on its platform, but also the way the stories transition off the platform.

Story DNA

According to Aron Levitz, the fans’ engagement is part of the “microtrend,” which allows Wattpad to know what will sell based on the size of the fanbase and reader engagement. Macrotrends are made possible by Story DNA. Story DNA is Wattpad’s deep-learning AI technology, which, according to Ashleigh Gardener, “deconstructs stories into their elemental features, such as sentence structure, word use, and grammar,” This gives Wattpad further insight into what makes a story popular outside of comments, likes, and shares. As a result, up-and-coming stories are given a greater chance at being discovered and transitioning off of Wattpad. The development of this technology is leading to a future of reading that is not just consumed by the reader but also formed by them.

Wattpad is unique in the fact that it is constantly reinventing itself to the benefit of its writers and readers. Wattpad has adapted from merely presenting stories to publishing them and promoting them outside of the digital platform. Wattpad not only publishes for fans but with the fans. The future of reading is driven by the reader, not the author or publisher.

How Digital Has Affected Script Writing

There are three definitions that come to mind when using the word “script”, first the word is often used in the place of prescription, when referring to doctor prescribed medications. Second the word script is used by computer programmers and web designers referring to a list of commands executed by programs of scripting engines used to generate Web Pages and automated computer responses. Lastly the word script is short for all the details of a screenplay for film, television or video game. It entails everything from movements, dialogues to expressions and tonal quality and the writer’s vision. This will be the version of script we will be referring to in this article.

When we think of a screenplay or reading a script at a table read (when actors sit around a table and practice lines prior to any filming), we think only of the words on paper. Todays script writers must have an array of mental processes taking place simultaneously to consider when writing a script for any digital platform. This article will discuss some of the processes a writer needs to be aware of when working on a project.

Digital tools and technology have altered the process of the script writing process by making use of the interned and a multitude of edition tools. The Interned has allowed script writers to forward their work to potential cast members and fellow writers for peer review. There are online forums such as screencraft and scriptmother where writers can go for ideas and reviews from other writers and even collaborate with other talented writers thousands of miles away.

There has been an amazingly significant increase in the last decade in low budget digital cameras that have enabled low-budget films to produce some very good quality cinematography. The editing in post-production has cut film production by almost ½ the time of what it was when film was actually on film i.e. 35mm. If someone wants a grainy look of the 1970’s you can’t beat film, but you better budget in the cost of transferring your grainy film to a digital format running at a minimum of 4K. Script writers must take into account their vision and the cost effects of production.

Film also has other disadvantages over digital like it is impossible to re-use film. Once it is shot that image is there for good and can not be written over or recorded over. This means that a day of shooting must contain the footage the director is looking for or that day and the recourses consumed that day are of no use and bust be re-shot or that scene deleted from the final cut.
With digital multiple cameras can run the same shot at the exact same time all with different angles then seamlessly blended in post-production. This is not something the script writer is concerned with but should be able to corroborate with the director should a question arise.
When writing a script in the past it was an idea, a notebook and a pen. All scripts were hand delivered and when collaboration with other writers took place it was usually a meeting around a table over a couple of days or weeks. Today the script will transform from the pen and paper to a computer where it will then be forwarded to many different people for review with just a couple mouse clicks. Each person that collaborates on a project doesn’t even need to get out of bed to have their contribution noted.
A major downside for the film industry is that piracy of copyrighted material is significantly less expensive than original works. This has led to many lawsuits against peer-to-peer networks and individuals as a result of the copying and distribution of materials. Screenwriters should be cautious of whom they send their scripts to for review and have a legalities and copyrights in place to ensure their work remains their work. This is something screenplay writers didn’t worry about in the past because they could easily just take their scripts and notes and keep them.
With the rapid modifications of movies every year the industry has forced the script writer to become somewhat of an audio and video enthusiast as well because these aspects are incorporated into film, television, and video games. This is an ongoing process that evolves almost daily in some industries, one example is postproduction and the constant upgrades of tools and software which lead to continual training and production costs.
Editors in different countries can now edit film for quality, wording, and sound by accessing digitized media on a server and working in real time with other editors across the globe each specializing in a particular field to create a script that had never been dreamt of a decade ago. Digital archives are also easy to save and store. Pixar had an incident when creating Toy Story 2, where one of the animators almost deleted the entire film while he was working on it at his house. Thanks to digital and the ease of backups this multi-million-dollar catastrophe was avoided.
A script is now sent to an effects department so the team there can begin the process of laying out a blueprint for background work and special effects. The script writer needs to be very proficient in his or her description of what they are trying to convey in each scene. It is clear there has not been an area of screen writing that has not been affected by technology and the digital platform. The major impacts for pre-production stage have been script writing tools and the learning curve of the digital age.
Script writing is no longer just merely a dramatic array of words and method actors like Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with The Wind. A script writer must envision the entire production and have the actor’s reactions and movements constantly on mind when writing. The screenplay writers in the future must have skillsets that far supersede that of even todays writers. Scripts have expounded to consume all aspects of the digital world. While the writer may not necessarily need to know how to apply the concepts of a green room effects and wire work coupled with a 3-D image of a bullet screaming past the actors ear, they must be able to envision the process to accurately convey this in the words they are writing.