Fan Fiction Writing and Feedback Guidelines

[Admin]

Wed Oct 01, 2008 11:10 am

EJ wrote:

Not ready to pitch a novel idea? Life too busy for a 30,000 word novella? Get your feet wet in the Mardi Gras 3000 universe with a little fan fiction. Read the sourcebook then jump right in! Stories can be intense or humorous or anywhere in between but please keep them PG-13 and without profanity. Thanks all

To begin:

Don't reply to this post but rather start a new thread in the "Fan Fiction" section. Name your post: "Title of Story" by Your Name (where, you know, "Title of Story" is your title and "Your Name" is, uh, your name LOL!) Can't wait to read!

Want to leave feedback about a story? Great! Be fair, constructive and polite. We have an aggressive admin who will not tolerate meanness, okay? Post your feedback on the story's own thread but put the word FEEDBACK in your Subject field. Thanks!

EJ

[Admin]

Sun Oct 05, 2008 7:28 am

EJ wrote:

As we grow larger and/or long-time members start actively posting their writings again, we may need to have more specific guidelines for feedback. For now, however, I think this great post that member/writer Brianne DiMarco found fits perfectly:

Tie a string around your finger,
And remind yourself:

People online are real people.

If you send a nasty email, there’s a real human being on the other end who gets it.
If you flame in a forum, you’re wasting real people’s time.
If you spam someone, you’re really only making yourself look bad.
If you write IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS it sounds like shouting.
If you want something to happen your way, try asking instead of demanding.
If you give, you’ll probably wind up getting, too.
If you blog just to pick fights, don’t be surprised when people don’t trust you.
If you collaborate, say thanks.
If you’re independent, say no thanks.
If you like someone, tell them.
If you don’t, walk away from the computer.
If you’re giving feedback, lead with just one good thing.
If you’re getting feedback, realize that the person must care a lot to have sent it.
If you goof, apologize.
If you apologize, mean it.
If you smile, mean that too.
If you don’t like something, don’t do it.
If you do like something, spread it.

But far far more important:

Give people a break.
The break you probably deserve yourself.
People are out to do good, 99% of the time.
You probably are too.
Say thanks out loud and a lot.
Try making someone’s day.
Chances are they’ll make yours in return.

[Jennifer]

Hi everyone. We're re-arranging threads to make information faster to find. If you would like to discuss writing in general or post a story, please do so right here in the fan fiction section.

If you'd like to bounce around possible story ideas, talk to someone about using an character they are the expert for, or any other preparation to the actually writing, please post in the General Discussion thread or in the applicable Official Writer thread.

Thank you all

Jennifer

[Admin]

A note to our fan fiction authors:

To keep clear what is story, and what is feedback, our Universe Designer (you know... EJ ;D) has asked that all story posts be in a different color than comments.

When you post an installment of your story, please use this code(without the spaces):

[ color=FF6600 ]

...before your story and this code(without the spaces):

[ /color ]

...at the end.

Thanks, everyone!

Brianne

[EJ]

Thank you, Brianne! I tried posting my comments to stories over on author's official threads but then I thought, "What about someone who writes a fan fiction story who doesn't have an official thread?! I think this will work super great. Thanks for implementing it

Btw, I really like your choice of using the special gold/fire color for the stories. The MG3K official color

EJ