I answered the poll on LJ but have been working my way through the comments here at IJ. I have seen some very good points and suggestions made, and now I’m adding my two cents.
Themostepotente’s suggestion of partnering up writers is an interesting one. As a writer, I think it could be fun. It would also give writers a chance to work with other writers they might not in any other situation. However, it could turn out bad for the same reasons others have mentioned about art and story collaborations. I guess it is all in the risk that you (the wonderful mods of Snarry Games), the participants, and the readers are willing to take.
Wow, I didn’t realize that there was such a controversy over AU and AR. I always saw them as clearly separate, probably because I’m a sci-fi fan and it tends to present concepts that can twist the mind and questions reality. I think it is a unique idea to have AU vs. AR and would love to participate on either team if opportunity presented itself. I do understand that it is not necessarily a clear division for many people out there. In all honesty, I have similar trouble with Romance vs Angst because I don’t see them as being mutually exclusive. Unless the story is definitely a fluffy, easy going, romance or a dark, brooding, angst, I have trouble placing it in one category or the other. If the games are Romance vs Angst again, I think it is a forgone conclusion that Romance will win. I could be wrong.
Does there have to be a division??? Someone else mentioned having more than two teams like the O*******. How about assigning writers and artists into three or four teams by random. Could name them after potions, magical ingredients, Quidditch positions, Quidditch teams, magic spells, or magical schools (be like the Tri-wizard tournament). Each team would have to submit a story for categories such as short story, multi-chapter story, comic/graphic art novel, paper and ink (I’m thinking artwork done on paper with whatever media and scanned), computer-aided art (use Paintshop or such), other media (pictures, videos), poetry (I haven’t seen that before), collaboration (artist/writer, writer/writer, or artist/artist), AU, AR, crossover, canon compliant, inspired by (art or story inspired by Snarry art or story already existing before the games start), crack, kinks/squicks. That doesn’t give you enough options for all the participants though. Ummm…you gave prompts last year for writing, maybe each category could have sub categories like romance, angst, crack, dark creatures, wizarding traditions, time travel, etcetera.
Well, I wandered farther than I initially intended.
Whatever is decided about this year’s games, I am looking forward to it and want to thank you in advance for the time and energy you put into making it happen.