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50 assignments
Jun. 29th, 2024 10:50 pmI just noticed the other day that my AO3 account has 50 exchange assignments.
It's not an exact count, because there were exchanges I did before AO3 was a thing. And there must be people who have done lots more. But it still feels like a significant number to see on my dashboard!
It's weird to think back to the changes that have happened over that time. Not having to email your story to the mods to upload! The creative use of tag fields, to match not just on fandom and character, but also media type, relationships, worldbuilding, and freeforms! The whole concept of DNWs!
Lessons I have learned for a happier exchange experience:
1. Curate your own experience - If you're stressed, offer what you're most comfortable with and request what you're most excited about. Or if you're bored, offer what's a challenge and request what's a surprise. Change up things that aren't working for you anymore. Sometimes this means cutting back on exchanges or taking a break from them entirely.
2. Focus on what you can control - You can't control how many comments you get, but you can control how many comments you give. You can't control when someone picks up your pinch hit, but you can control how many treats you write. It's painful to be fixating on something that depends on someone else. Anytime you're desperately refreshing the screen for an update, is probably a sign you should go take action on something, anything else.
3. Figure out your limitations and your strengths - I know I'm a slow writer, so I'm never going to sign up for anything that requires speed or volume. I love certain canons where I'm just not confident about the voice, or where I'm realistically not going to have time for review.
4. There's always next time - There are going to be ups and downs. It helps to be philosophical about it and take the long view, instead of pinning all your hopes on this exchange being perfect.
It's not an exact count, because there were exchanges I did before AO3 was a thing. And there must be people who have done lots more. But it still feels like a significant number to see on my dashboard!
It's weird to think back to the changes that have happened over that time. Not having to email your story to the mods to upload! The creative use of tag fields, to match not just on fandom and character, but also media type, relationships, worldbuilding, and freeforms! The whole concept of DNWs!
Lessons I have learned for a happier exchange experience:
1. Curate your own experience - If you're stressed, offer what you're most comfortable with and request what you're most excited about. Or if you're bored, offer what's a challenge and request what's a surprise. Change up things that aren't working for you anymore. Sometimes this means cutting back on exchanges or taking a break from them entirely.
2. Focus on what you can control - You can't control how many comments you get, but you can control how many comments you give. You can't control when someone picks up your pinch hit, but you can control how many treats you write. It's painful to be fixating on something that depends on someone else. Anytime you're desperately refreshing the screen for an update, is probably a sign you should go take action on something, anything else.
3. Figure out your limitations and your strengths - I know I'm a slow writer, so I'm never going to sign up for anything that requires speed or volume. I love certain canons where I'm just not confident about the voice, or where I'm realistically not going to have time for review.
4. There's always next time - There are going to be ups and downs. It helps to be philosophical about it and take the long view, instead of pinning all your hopes on this exchange being perfect.
