Anon kinkyness

[marguerite_26]

I'm looking to post a fic to kinkme_merlin for the first time. It an anon 'meme' that I really don't fully understand. I know there are tons of these things in different fandoms, right? Where prompts are submitted anonymously and then 'filled' anonymously?

HP has one, yeah? I'm sure it does though I've never heard of it.

My question (not because I'm being wanky or anything, but I'm honestly curious) is why?

When I first came to HP, I was really confused by all the fests that had 'anon' posting and then reveals. At the time (and possibly still) BtVS fandoms didn't have that type of fest. I later learned that it was a great way for a new writer to get read and stop people from skimming a fest for big names and only reading those. (right? as an aside - I do think that works)

But this anon 'meme' (and I'm using quotes because I don't understand why it's a meme) is different, I think. There are no 'reveals'. People can stay anon forever or actually post their fic under their own ID right off the bat and forget the anon business entirely. What I've seen in the little bit I've poked around is that writers will often post their fics as anon for a couple days then reveal themselves and cross post. (Is this correct?) Is it rude or not in keeping with the 'fun' of the meme to not go anon?

I'm trying to figure out the benefit of being anon? Is it because it's about 'kink'? Are ppl not wanting fess-up to their kinks? or not sure what kind of reaction their prompt/fic will get so it's easier to stay anon?

and then you get all kinds of anon comments on your work? do you prefer that or would you rather ppl sign in and you have a name to go with those kind words?

In keeping with the topic, this post allows for anon comments, and ISP logging if off - so feel free to reply anonymously if you would like your anon reasoning to remain anon. :D

Just as a side note, when we ran hp_kinkfest we had the option of submitting anon entries, and only one person opted for that. So the popularity of this anon meme really surprised me, other than the fact that some of the prompt are DAMN HOT and there are not a lot of other prompt-fest-like alternatives (is it July 10th yet???)

Comments

[faynia.livejournal.com]

I've posted to the anon meme a handful of times and never bothered to be anonymous (mostly because crossposting takes work :| ) but I know plenty who have posted anonymously and never once posted any where else, either from embarrassment or they forget. And some do it almost immediately, posting the meme anonymously, but linking into their journals.

It's just a matter of preference. I suppose the point of it being anon is so you can request something really, really unsavory and have someone fill it, again with unsavory elements.

No idea why it's considered a meme though. Sorry XD

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

mostly because crossposting takes work
yes! totally. I always forget to go back and crosspost when that happens.

Thanks for the info. I was wondering if there was any unwritten rule about encouraging anons. :/

[faynia.livejournal.com]

It's unspoken, but really, it's either a you do or you don't type of scenario. I usually don't because it takes an extra five seconds to log out to anonymously post something. ;)

[leashy-bebes.livejournal.com]

I actually posted something there yesterday for the first time, and I did it anon without even really thinking about it. It's not even kinky, so it's not about that. I might post it to my lj at some point, but likely not without changes.

Hmm... In all honesty, I literally have no idea about the anon thing. I fail at fandom etiquette and so on, so I'll be watching this post for other people to be all rational and stuff.

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

Oh!!! You have to link me!!! Is that your first merlin fic? I've been waiting for you to dive in. :DDD

I fail at fandom etiquette heh. well, it's pretty hard when 'fandom etiquette' changes depending on which corner of fandom you are hanging out in, I'm finding :D

[leashy-bebes.livejournal.com]

:D Here (http://community.livejournal.com/kinkme_merlin/12301.html?thread=10571789). It's not really a proper fic or anything. I've written this and a couple of other comment porns for Merlin, but haven't got around to posting them to my journal yet. I have pretty much jumped in with both feet in terms of writing. Finishing is another matter. *eyes growing list of Merlin wips*

And ha, yes, I imagine this is true. I've been playing around in fandom for a long time, but fests and memes etc are still pretty much greek to me, whatever the fandom.

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

um. I'm embarrassed to admit I need to gather my strength to read that fic because ... GAH!!! SPIDERS!!! *freaks out*

But YOU NEED TO FINISH A LONG AND PLOTTY AND PRONY MERLIN FIC!!! YES, YOU DO!!! *grabby hands* :DDDD

[leashy-bebes.livejournal.com]

Don't even worry. I had to steel myself to write it and it's pretty non-descriptive when it comes to the actual 8 legged doom mongers. *freaks out with you*

Hee, I'm working on it :D (and by it, I mean all 15+ of them).

[boro-girl.livejournal.com]

For a lot of people, admitting that they like or are into certain stuff is a big thing. For others, the idea that they write the same stuff is a big thing. Most people are open and honest about what they read and write but I guess the whole point of these anon "memes" is that anyone and everyone can take part.

I read a couple of anon kink meme sites, and toyed with the idea of posting. Now I'm pretty open and honest about what I'm into but it's kinda nice that I can read and post without anyone really kinda knowing it's me. That way if they hate it or it's too weird then I don't lose face. If I ask for something that is just a bit too weird or 'wrong' or creeps out most people then I don't get funny looks or comments!

That's just my take on it tbh, but anonymity means that we can indulge in things that we may not feel 100% confident about doing so in a more public arena and is therefore more inclusive. Maybe.

As for why it's called a meme... The term may refer to the content that spreads from user to user, the idea behind the content, or the phenomenon of its spread. Internet memes have been seen as a form of art. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_meme)

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

*nods* I do understand that by 'everyone' being anon, then no one is singled out for being anon (even if you don't know who they are, being the one of only a few anon's likely feels like the spot light is on you.)

I do have a couple fics that I've bounced about in my head for years that make me want to create a sockpuppet just to post. LOL. but then gah! I fail at anon, I think. I would end up linking to it and saying THAT WAS ME. :DDDD

oh! and thanks for the link!

[frogspace.livejournal.com]

Is it because it's about 'kink'? Are ppl not wanting fess-up to their kinks? or not sure what kind of reaction their prompt/fic will get so it's easier to stay anon?

Both. It takes a lot of pressure off. For what it's worth, only the prompts have to be anonymous. The fills, however, can be anonymous or not, whatever the author/artist prefers. (Although the community generally prefers anonymity.)

If you want to read more about it, the winner of the best kink story (Until the Pieces Fit (http://merlinkinkmeme.livejournal.com/2672.html), strongly recommened!!!) in the merslashawards originally posted it to the kink meme and stayed anonymous, so the mods reposted it with the author's permission for easier reading pleasure in two parts. In the comments of the original kink meme version and the later repost you find a interesting discussion about anon posting, the reasons why the author stayed anon, etc.

(Also, most kinkme_merlin stories actually aren't kinky at all. It's much more of a general prompt community than the name implies.)

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

OH!!! Thanks for that link. I will check it out. I have read that fic and yes it is DELISH but also ... uncomfortable. There were a few bits that were really hard to read (for me) and yet.. hot. I totally see why an author would consider staying anon.

(Also, most kinkme_merlin stories actually aren't kinky at all. It's much more of a general prompt community than the name implies.)

Yes! this is very true. It's also why I find the anon bit confusing as the prompts are mostly vanilla (well, for my tastes. hee!)

[potteresque_ire]

Not to be an arsekisser, but the reason why I am comfortable with participating in hp_kinkfest and having my name in it has everything to do with the fact that I know the mods and I trust them with all my heart that they will come up with sound judgments if complications arise. ♥ The trouble I can imagine with kink memes is that one can never be quite sure what will become of it; it maybe all right one day and become ugly and nasty the next... either because someone calls it out or a participant insists on including a kink that others don't comfortable with (ex. chan). And because it's not an entry by its own, it's fate is decided by the other stories as well... and the author may feel better about reposting the story in her own LJ and has control of the posting.

Although the only experience I have with kink_memes is in a RPF fandom (you know which one): someone posts a kink as a comment to one entry, the fic is posted as a reply. From what I sense, though I never quite know for sure, is that in that case it's also have something to do with the 4th wall and making sure that the fics are difficult to find for those who're not really, really in the know....and the necessary secrecy (and the fact that it's RPF) may make some writers even less comfortable with posting with their own ID.

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

*is well kisses* :P

For me, being anon and having anon commenters makes me MORE worried about 'trouble' than if everyone has their name attached. IDEK, but sometimes being anon can make people say things in far more hurtful ways than logged in. I'm all for honesty, but yeah... I like honesty a bit 'softened' when it's hard to take. :D

my fic's an RPF and yeah... anon RPFs add a whole other level of complexity. *sigh*

[nicevenn.livejournal.com]

I guess it encourages people who might be embarrassed to admit their kinks to post prompts. It also gives writers/artist the ability to go anon without waiting months for a fest fic to be posted and up to another month for reveals.

Being the party pooper that I am, however, I answered the prompt I wrote for without going anon. I prefer to link people to my LJ and keep everything in one place.

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think I'm going to do a combination of that. post anon first, then re-post in my LJ and at the meme link to my lj a few days later. so something. Just to keep in the 'spirit' of the meme. There is certainly nothing kinky enough in this prompt for me to blush. LOL.

[mysecretashes.livejournal.com]

What I've seen in the little bit I've poked around is that writers will often post their fics as anon for a couple days then reveal themselves and cross post. (Is this correct?)

Yes, that's what many authors do. Some don't bother to post anon at all, but in general it's prefered to do it anon to begin with. If a story is so long that it makes more sense to go ahead and post it in your journal instead of ten million comments to the meme and then link back, that's fine too. Nobody will call you out if you don't post anon, but it's sort-of an understood thing that that's how it's supposed to be.

Is it rude or not in keeping with the 'fun' of the meme to not go anon?

I don't think it's rude (some people never ever go anon), but I (and many others) do consider it part of the fun. Others think of the anonymity as a way to post their stuff and get read on their own merits instead of people reading or not reading because of a name attached. For others still, being anon can allow them to post a prompt or a fill that would otherwise put a stigma on their name. A lot of people aren't comfortable with having certain stuff attributed to them, whether they be the prompter or the filler, and being anon allows them to do that without worrying. And that itself is tied in with the anonymity of the meme as a whole - many people who go to the meme prefer posts there to be anon, even if the fill isn't all that kinky and/or the author later de-anons in their own journal. Some see non-anons as attention seeking, others don't care either way.

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

And that itself is tied in with the anonymity of the meme as a whole - many people who go to the meme prefer posts there to be anon, even if the fill isn't all that kinky and/or the author later de-anons in their own journal. Some see non-anons as attention seeking, others don't care either way.

Gah! Thank you. Yes, this is the sort of thing I was afraid of. I have no reason to post anon for myself (I've certainly written and recced plenty of ridiculously squicky stuff. LOL) and my prompt is not that kinky but I was afraid there was some culture of the comm that made posting non-anon appear pretentious or something. I'm glad I asked.

Being anon can be fun. And I respect that, but it's also foreign to me have all interaction (prompt/fill/comment) all be anon (when 'meeting people' is such a huge part of my fandom experience).

But when in Rome... pull your toga over your head (at least for the first couple days). :P

[phoenixacid.livejournal.com]

Sometimes it's because they don't don't want to fess up about their kinks. But I think the most usual reason is because they want people's honest reactions to their fics and also, if their KMM fics bombed, they can choose to disown those fics - and the KMM readers won't be any the wiser.

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

But I think the most usual reason is because they want people's honest reactions to their fics and also, if their KMM fics bombed, they can choose to disown those fics

OH!!! excellent. :D I may do that too. LOL.

[kayoko.livejournal.com]

I like the idea of anon fics with reveals later. There's less prejudice against the fic right off the bat unless you start looking at the number of reviews. I've only been in one other fandom before HP and Naruto fandom didn't really do fests back then (well, to the best of my knowledge).

What's happening July 10th?

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

merlin_muses starts acccepting prompts.

It's a hd_fan_fair style fest, but for Merlin. Am excited!!! :D

GAH!!! YOUR ICON KILLS ME!!! *covets*

[marchionessdusk.livejournal.com]

I don't know how it works either, so I'm rudely ignoring the point of your post to say OMG KMM FIC FROM MAGGIE?? GIMME GIMME GIMME!
*grabby hands*

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

LOL! It's nothing more than a spot of B/C pwp. But thank you for your enthusiasm. You are very sweet. ♥

[faithwood.livejournal.com]

Is it rude or not in keeping with the 'fun' of the meme to not go anon?

I don't know much about kink memes, but if the rules (written or unwritten ones) say you should post anonymously, then posting logged in is a bit . . . Hi, I'm a rebel. Which could earn you some strange looks. :D

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

heh. I get enough weird looks!!! (omg! stop looking at me!!!)

So, yes. Will not draw attention by posting non-anon. I hate new things with 'unwritten rules' I wish the rules would just say: we prefer you to post anon, but posting non-anon is welcome! Rather than: you can post anon or not, it's up to you.

Not the same thing!

also: MORNING!!! I am S.O. FREE!!! watch me spam! :D

[faithwood.livejournal.com]

AND A LOVELY MORNING IT IS! Have some coffee!

[melusinahp.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I've never participated in a kink meme, but I can imagine one of the draws would be to respond to a request, write it on the spot and not worry that it will be rushed or crap. The fact that no one knows who you are could be freeing, I'd imagine.

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

hello, lovely!!!! how was UR weekend????

Yes, I can see writing 'comment porn' quick and dirty and anon is pretty cool. I hadn't thought of it from that perspective. I was thinking of prompts as 'write me a fic' and not more like the microdrabbles that are sloppy and unbeta'd and yes, very easy to write.

(except for your syrup prompt which is begging to be LONG and I'm trying to beat it down) :D

[melusinahp.livejournal.com]

Weekend was AMAZING OMG. :D It was so much fun.

I'm about to respond to your email. ♥

The problem with syrup is that it's thick and syrupy and takes a long time to trickle down...

[lokifan]

I think it's a combination of shyness and... well, I don't know how the 'anon' fits in, but having a meme for people to request and write seems to help small fandoms get some momentum going - that's where I've seen anon memes happen (beyond the 'tell me your honest opinion of me' ones).