User blog comment:Sprinklemist/Sprink Talks About Stuff/@comment-4669666-20110630160914/@comment-1874924-20110701030450

I haven't read these stories, but I'll throw in my $0.02 worth anyway. For any competition story, the length of time elapsed between finale and reunion has to turn mainly on what the author wants to accomplish. If character storylines require a longer timeframe, then so be it. In addition, Sprink is known to be a fan of the "where are they now" conceit, which would tend to dictate a longer time horizon.

For my own competition story, I would have preferred a longer time horizon for the reunion, but certain storylines dictate that the reunion take place barely 5 months after the finale. The reasons for this will make sense when I reveal them.