Reccing shifts: your thoughts?

[fignewton]

I've been reccing gen SG-1 fic for a long time now. I first joined LJ back in March 2006 for the sole purpose of reccing at stargateficrec, making my first entry there on April 2, 2006. (Why yes, it was a teamy goodness fic, why do you ask?) I didn't even post an entry on my own journal until two months later, at the end of May. Unsurprisingly, it was about reccing. :)

In the nearly six years since that first rec post, I've made just under 770 rec entries -- all gen, with 24 exceptions. It's been a long -- and fun! -- ride. The usual pattern has been 8-10 recs in two categories per month. It tends to add up after a while; amusingly (or perhaps alarmingly), I am now responsible for over 12% of all recs over at stargateficrec. After 18 months or so, I gave up on the idea of using my memories to archive the recs and created figs_sg1_rec instead, complete with extensive tags to help readers (and myself) find specific types of stories. Even when stargateficrec changed its rec format in 2010, I kept the old one for the rec archive, preferring the consistency.

Starting next month, stargateficrec is introducing a new change in format -- one that impacts me directly. It's certainly not a bad change! But it is a little different, and I would welcome my readers' opinion.

Instead of getting in line (when there is one) and volunteering for two specific categories per month, I have now been promoted to "Staff Reccer." This means that I can rec in whatever category I wish at any time, rather than sticking to specifics. I can wander from Five Things to Humor to Team to Sam and Sha're friendship to Walter the Chevron Guy, all within a single month.

I like this premise quite a lot. Instead of sitting on fics for years while waiting to accumulate the four-per-month minimum, I can now rec a good story at any time. But since the whole purpose of sharing good fic is to spread the squee to you, my readers, I'm wondering what you would like to see in the future. Would you prefer it if I kept mostly to one category type at a time, with the occasional exception? Do you like the idea of completely random recs instead? Would you enjoy an open post where you could comment and ask for certain types of recs to be made in the future?

I would be pleased if you'd comment here with your thoughts, your ideas, and your suggestions for future tweaks and/or improvements -- even if you just want to say that you'll be happy to see things continue as they are. And as always, I offer my thanks to you, the readers, who enjoy the recs and give me the ultimate compliment of commenting to the authors to let them know that my recs led you to good fic. :)

Comments

[magibrain]

I would prefer you focus your reccing on fics in the 2000-8000 word range which focus of team dynamics, military protocol, and science, within the genres of action, politicalfic, character study, and hurt/comfort written in a dry dramatic style, preferably with Sam being badass, also preferably with a coherent set of underlying philosophical themes, which should but may not always parallel major themes in academic Linguistics. And involving echidnas.

...by which I mean, I vote you rec whatever you desire, because there are many fics I'd never run into or seek out of my own accord that you would undoubtedly expose me to. :P Go forth and be free.

[fignewton]

If there were more fics like that out there, I would be reccing a lot more frequently! :D

Pointing people towards stories they might not otherwise see is the whole idea. So yes, I shall go forth and rec. Thanks!

[princessofgeeks]

To be honest, I've never been organized enough to follow categories or themes.

I know you rec gen, and I know you seek out good fic about all the characters -- which is something I really appreciate! Good fic about the minor characters.

I will follow the recs regardless of how you characterize them, and as long as I can find them I'll be there.

One thing I really appreciate is the story summaries. That gives me a good idea on whether it's something I'll like. And I like fic that's old and fic that's new. There's still a lot of fic I never find and never see without reccers, so I appreciate what you do very much.

[fignewton]

I didn't realize that you also have a special place in your heart for the minor characters! Janet and Siler and Reynolds and Walter and George and Cassie - I love finding good fic about these people. My love the team is a many-splendored thing :) but it's the backdrop of the entire cast that makes SG-1 so wonderful!

If by "summaries" you mean the "why this should be read" section, I agree that it's important: a hook to coax the reader to click on the link. It's sometimes challenging to find what to write without giving too much anyway, so I'm glad to hear it works for you. Thanks!

[paian]

Congratulations! I was so pleased to see that announcement at the comm. It is well deserved, and the freedom to rec at will is glorious.

I'm happy to see things continue as they are, or to change in any way you need to change them to reflect the fic you're finding and reccing. Sometimes things seem to come in batches, and themes might just present themselves and be worthy of note. Otherwise, a variety of recs are fine by me!

Thank you so much for all you've done. ♥ (with a repeat-to-infinity sign on top)

[fignewton]

The freedom to rec at will is indeed glorious. And yes, I suspect there will be an ebb and flow in themes and categories, which just adds to tehe fun. :) Thanks!