[argh] How to get on with your author/artist

[shanaqui]

I'm participating in several Big Bangs this time, and I'm having various problems with my artists. I think this applies both ways, though: author to artist, and artist to author.

-Introduce yourself! auroraprimavera was my first ever Big Bang artist. The first email she sent me was an introduction, and lo, we got on like a house on fire.
-Respond promptly! Even if it's to say you can't do [x], at least then your partner knows where you stand.
-Keep in touch. If you have a problem, let your partner know, so that if you suddenly disappear offline but you'll be back in time, they don't contact mods going "help! my artist disappeared!". If you don't have a problem, just let 'em know you're still around and doing your bit.
-If someone sends you their latest draft, it's nice to respond and let them know what you think once you've had chance to read it/see it. One of my artists received my draft almost two weeks ago and there's been silence since. Silence feels ominous, to me...
-Work together! Don't spring a massive plot change surprise on your artist two days before the deadline.
-If you promise to do something, deliver. If you promised a rough draft by Tuesday, follow through!
-If in doubt, ask.

What other advice would you have about getting on with your author/artist? My main problem has been total lack of communication.

Comments

[auroraprimavera]

♥

[shanaqui]

♥! Seriously, you have been the most awesome artist I've had so far.

[auroraprimavera]

Aww, bb ♥

I've been on both ends and it's tough! I'm so lucky to have picked your story then *smishes you*

[shanaqui]

*snugs* Mostly my two (so far) artists aren't replying to me. I get it taking a couple of days, but ten?

[auroraprimavera]

Yeah, that's just not cool. >_> Have you asked the mods yet?

[shanaqui]

I did, and then my artist replied just within the time limit they set...... and has now gone back to not replying. I was trying to pick a posting date and it was really important I pick one that doesn't get in the way of exams or essay hand-in dates or moving out of my flat, but now I'm stuck with a posting date that's the same as one of my hand-in dates. Ughhh.

[auroraprimavera]

Oh man, that's annoying. Urgh. Have they even shown you what they've done at all???

[shanaqui]

No, not at all. They said they'll be ready, so I just have to trust them on that one.

[auroraprimavera]

*crosses fingers* I hope so!

[shanaqui]

If they're not, I'll be very annoyed.

[auroraprimavera]

Well, if not - you let me know and I'd be more than happy to whip something up for you. :D

[shanaqui]

Hee. ♥ I'm thinking that, once it's posted, I'll post to an art request comm or something asking for some kind of illustration of it, because my artist is doing a fanmix for me and I sekritly hoped for visual art.

[auroraprimavera]

:) What stories are these for again?

[shanaqui]

This one's the one with mute!scarred!Dean -- the one in which hugs save the world!

[auroraprimavera]

OOohhhhh, I love the bits of that one I d *g*

[shanaqui]

*grins* I should post the teaser soon, if I'm posting it on the tenth!

[auroraprimavera]

YAYAYAY \o/

[shanaqui]

I think I'll post the drinking game tomorrow.

[auroraprimavera]

WOOHOO!!!! TIME TO GET DRUUUUUNK \o/

[shanaqui]

So I couldn't resist doing it now...

[auroraprimavera]

WOOOHOOO \o/

[viklikesfic]

Hmm, yeah, I haven't had much experience with heavy communication between author and artist. For my first big bang, the artist contacted me and gave me a partial list for the fanmix she was planning to make and asked if it looked good to me. I thought it looked great and there were songs I was looking forward to hearing. Then when the reveal came what I received was a couple of images of the people in the story with some writing on them. I don't mean to be ungracious; maybe those images were harder than they looked, but I was really bummed not to get the fanmix. So I guess I would say on the artists' side, if you tell your author you're going to do x type of media, do that or tell them that you've changed your mind so that they know what to expect. The big bang that I was just in, no one claimed my story, so no advice from that.

[shanaqui]

I think auroraprimavera spoiled me... but in an ideal world, it'd always be like that.

[auroraprimavera]

*blush*

[auroraprimavera]

The stuff your artist makes for you make a difference in how your story works. One bigbang I did I only heard from the artist when they wanted to see how I was doing. I tried to get their opinions on the story and stuff but nothing. Then they sent me the art and I was like...let down? It's tough and I know as an artist myself how much work doing art and stuff can be. But still, you know?

[viklikesfic]

Hmm, and see, I'm not sure how much I would like having an author/artist relationship where the artist was giving opinions like that. If I want a beta, then I would pick one that I already know and want to hear from. What I expect from an artist is more "ok, what are you thinking of making?" and maybe they'll also ask a question or two about the story in order to make the art match up, but I wouldn't be asking an artist for input about the story itself. I guess that's because I think of the art more as a reward for completing the story, so it's a linear process. A creates story, B creates complimentary art. Or for a reverse bang, B creates art, A creates complimentary story.

[auroraprimavera]

I see what you mean - And I guess I should have worded it differently. I mean, I just want to know what they think on the story. Like, oh hey great scene there. Or wow, interesting concept. You know? I was spoiled in my first big bang that my artist was awesome and kept in touch with me and was excited when I sent her additional snippets. And then when I worked as an artist for shanaqui I was able to get bits and pieces as she wrote and it was great being able to to tell her what I thought, how excited I was. You know? I don't exactly want them to beta for me, I have enough people who'll do that - just, you know - at least tell me you like it? From my last artists, I heard nothing.

[shanaqui]

I feel like at least I want to know whether the artist enjoyed it... or even that the artist, you know, read it at all.

[majoline]

ladiesbigbang is going to be interesting because all my stories are already written so hopefully the artist won't have any excuse.

Then again, you don't ever know what's going to happen either.

[shanaqui]

So far this year, all my stories have been finished and beta'd before they go to my artists, so they shouldn't have had an excuse this time...