heidi | Jul. 17th, 2004

If you were in the fandom two summers ago, you may remember FictionAlley's The Unexpected Task. It was an idea, started by a few of FA's regular users, which inspired people to read things they wouldn't ordinarily read, either because it wasn't their usual SHIP, or they didn't think they were interested in the character - a myriad of reasons.

Here's what we wrote back then:

The challenge is to put aside fics you ordinarily read and instead, spend the weekend of August 10-11, 2002, reading fics focusing on a SHIP, character or era that you wouldn't ordinarily read. In other words - it's an "Unexpected Fic."

Since then, the challenge has been to read one fic a month that focuses on an "unexpected" SHIP, character or era.

Unless you're choosing to read "badly spelled fics" as your challenge, no selecting things that are badly spelled just to prove to yourself that you don't like something. Pick something that's appreciated by people who like the genre that you don't. Ask, take suggestions. Use the Sorting Hat to help you decide.

And if you don't ordinarily read fanfic at all, pick your favorite character here and have at it!

This project is something that was originally generated by some of FA's longtime users - we're thrilled that they did it, and we're glad to provide a place for discussion of what you read during the Unexpected Task.

And now, in July, 2004, as FictionAlley reaches its third birthday, we are rekindling The Unexpected Task, and challenging all of you to take it on. Sign up on this thread, discuss what you've read elsewhere on FA, or even in this forum, and perhaps even write something with a pairing or a character that you've never thought about before. Once you've completed the Task, add your name, and fill out the form here (if you wish) and in the first week of September, you'll find a little surprise in your FA Control Panel.

You don't have to read fics on FA, you don't have to sign up on FA, you can take the challenge and run with it...

But maybe you'll find something fascinating that you never would've considered before.