Since I have no idea if that is possible: If a fic is posted in that index, would it be possible to link to the original post that recommended it? So that people could read about the the reasons for recommending? And is only the thread-starter allowed to change the first post? I would say it is pretty obvious but I want to ask anyway.
Unfortunately I don't think it's technically possible to edit a post that isn't one's own unless one is a mod. So long as whoever starts the thread (and I was assuming that would be me) keeps on top of things, though, I don't
think that will be a problem.
As I said, the categories Lazy8 mentioned sounded good. To keep things clearly arranged the first post should not include more information than necessary, sorting the fics into categories and pairings. The actual rec-post should include some more info. Ideas down:
Title:
Author:
Genre:
Characters:
Shippy [y/n]:
[if yes] Pairing:
Finished [y/n]:
Rating:
Link to Fic:
I like this format. A few addenda, if I may:
What you have up there could specifically be the template for recommendations; the fic could also be simply linked in the title. So here's what I was thinking:
"Title (with link)" by
AuthorGenre:Characters: If applicable - stories that don't focus on a specific character (say, an ensemble cast) shouldn't need this label
Relationship: If applicable - "A & B" should be used to indicate a gen relationship; "A/B" is shippy, and something like "A->B" could indicate one-sided romantic attraction if needed. If people stick to this format a shippy tag wouldn't be necessary at all.
Status: Oneshot, WIP (Work In Progress), or Complete. If a work is part of a series this would also be the place to mention that.
Rating: FFNet/AO3 standard warnings
Warnings: If applicable
Comments: This is where the recommender gets to go into more detail about
why they're recommending this fic, why it worked for them, etc.
The first post with index could just have the stories sorted into categories without all the tags (since everything will be sorted under tags
anyway). That could go something like this:
"Title (linked to fic)" by
Author (recommended by
X,
Y, and
Z) - where each recommender's name is linked back to their recommendation
I think we should make it clear that the thread-starter would not be reading and approving the recommended fics but is only the custodian of order for this thread. So, to get people talking we could pose some questions that might [or might not] be mandatory to be answered unless the rec-post might be deleted (can the thread-starter DO something like that? Or is that the firm prerogative of a Mod?). Maybe something like "Answer X out of Y questions".
But on the other hand it might be easier for some to just say something straight from their heart about their recommended fic. I would say, if someone takes the trouble and recommend something, they would like to gush about it but one can never know ... So maybe a few exemplary questions? Or some recs that could be used as a guideline???
Well, the thread-starter wouldn't be gatekeeping the thread, but still ought to be able to make recommendations of their own.
I think that having an additional "Comments" tag on the template ought to take care of any problems with things being too dry - this is the part where people making recommendations can say whatever they want and really get a chance to sell the fic.
Damn, now I really want to do this. =/ Would it be awful if the thread was not regularely updated? And can someone help me putting this thing up, once there are enough ideas? Plx? If someone else did this thread I would feel like I strong-armed them into doing this. =/
Well, I was sort of thinking of starting it as well, since I already kind of
want to.
Here's an idea: the thread-starter is the one who's in charge of maintaining the index, but if for any reason the thread-starter needs to leave someone else can copy the index into their own post so they can edit it, and the starter can edit the first post to link to that index instead.
