You suggested: "If the chromatic character you want fic for is not listed in the options choose 'Any' and say how much you'd like fic focussed on that character in your request, and use a freeform tag like 'chromatic character'. Remember, however, to offer alternative character options from the ones that are listed."
This is better too, but the part of the instructions that I keep sticking on is: "say how much you'd like fic focussed on that character in your request" specifically, because it implies that you should choose "Any" and then make your request ONLY about an unlisted character.
But the thing is, requesting "Any" doesn't mean you're getting matched to someone who *offered* "Any," so selecting "Any" isn't necessarily going to give a participant a better chance of getting the chromatic character they want if they're not listed. Advising people to choose "any" as if it *does* give them a better chance of getting what they want may lead to some really bad matching.
Again, I might suggest something like, "If the chromatic character you want fic for is not listed in the options choose 'Any' and, in addition to the already listed characters, give your author permission to write about any unlisted characters that you would like," etc. Acknowledging that you shouldn't *primarily* request an unlisted character.
no subject
Okay, I guess I didn't remember seeing that part.
You suggested: "If the chromatic character you want fic for is not listed in the options choose 'Any' and say how much you'd like fic focussed on that character in your request, and use a freeform tag like 'chromatic character'. Remember, however, to offer alternative character options from the ones that are listed."
This is better too, but the part of the instructions that I keep sticking on is: "say how much you'd like fic focussed on that character in your request" specifically, because it implies that you should choose "Any" and then make your request ONLY about an unlisted character.
But the thing is, requesting "Any" doesn't mean you're getting matched to someone who *offered* "Any," so selecting "Any" isn't necessarily going to give a participant a better chance of getting the chromatic character they want if they're not listed. Advising people to choose "any" as if it *does* give them a better chance of getting what they want may lead to some really bad matching.
Again, I might suggest something like, "If the chromatic character you want fic for is not listed in the options choose 'Any' and, in addition to the already listed characters, give your author permission to write about any unlisted characters that you would like," etc. Acknowledging that you shouldn't *primarily* request an unlisted character.