How to Get the Most Out of Your Fic Exchange Experience

(I conceived of this article when planning for my own comm's holiday fic exchange. I thought, instead of writing a ridiculously long FAQ, why not put all of the optional guidelines I wanted to include in one easy-to-link article?

If you'd like to link to this article, go for it. And don't forget to include your own tips and experiences in the comments!)

So, you’ve signed up for a fandom exchange! This is going to be great, right?

Well, unless you end up with a recipient who makes only one, super-detailed prompt that outlines the entire fic for you and doesn’t leave you any room to be creative.

Or you don’t get a prompt at all! One of those people who insists they “love everything” and would be happy with whatever you turn in! (As if that’s a help...)

Or the person assigned to write for you hates your OTP!

Or they’re known for writing super-explicit slash, and you only read gen!

Or the mod’s cat/grandmother/cat’s grandmother suddenly gets swine flu and they disappear off the face of the earth!

Or...well. You get the picture. There’s a lot to stress over! But don’t worry, most if not all of those scary fandom scenarios can be avoided with just a bit of crafty thought on your part! The rest? Well, it’s in the hands of the gods. Err...mods. :P ( Take a deep breath, and read this guide! )

Do you have ideas for how I can improve this article? In the comments, please share your own tips for surviving and thriving in fandom exchanges! Give me your successes and horror stories, your glories and tragedies...

Also, do you have a resource I should link to this article? Let me know!

ETA: And if you have recommendations for fests or exchanges that you've participated in the past, send them along! If I get enough, I'll do a "fest rec post". :D